Lemon balm propagates by seeds, which are planted in pots in March-April to a depth of 5 mm. The optimum temperature for seedling germination is + 20 ° C. They love sunlight and moist soil, but watering should not be overused, since seedlings are not resistant to fungal diseases.
The seeds germinate in about 3 weeks. Seedlings are planted in open ground in May, when the frost ends with a distance between the holes of 20-30 cm. The soil is pre-fertilized with humus and ash.
The plant is also bred vegetatively by dividing the bushes. Adult 3-year-old bushes in the middle of spring are divided into parts that take root well and grow intensively.
The grass is not picky about the soil, but the fertile sandy loam loose soil and sunlight will ensure the rapid development of the bushes. The plant feels fine in a shaded area, but in this case it grows less aromatic and with a lower oil content. The best neighbors of the melissa plant:
- mint;
- basil;
- marjoram;
- hyssop;
- oregano.
It is necessary to regularly maintain soil moisture so that the water does not stagnate, and feed with fertilizers once a month. To prevent overgrowth and stimulate the growth of new shoots, the old ones are removed after the end of flowering. In autumn, the soil at the base of the bush is mulched with compost to nourish the root system and protect it from the cold.
The leaves contain a large amount of vitamin C and essential oils. The herb is used as a seasoning in cooking, as well as in medicine: the plant helps with neuroses, heart and gastrointestinal diseases, improves appetite and relieves headaches.