Green plants create a vitalizing and healthy climate in rooms. Lemon balm fits in seamlessly here because it is suitable for houseplants. The following care instructions show how easy cultivation can be.

Which location does lemon balm prefer in the room?

With regard to light conditions, lemon balm proves to be flexible as a houseplant. It thrives in both sunny and partially shaded locations. With its growth height of up to 60 centimetres, it also carries its fresh green into less bright niches of the room.

How to manage the water and nutrient supply?

Since there is no natural rainfall under the protected conditions behind glass, this aspect of maintenance requires your regular attention. How to do it right:

  • Water lemon balm when the substrate surface has dried
  • Empty the water from the coaster after 20 minutes at the latest
  • preferably use stale tap water at room temperature

A liquid fertilizer for herbs meets the nutrient requirements very well. Administer the supplement every 14 days from April to August. Pour a little clear water beforehand so that the fertilizer salts do not damage the roots.

How is lemon balm cut?

If regular harvesting no longer keeps the vigorous lemon balm in check, it can be pruned back without any problems. It is up to you to decide whether you want to cut the plant back to 10 centimeters or just a third. As long as at least 1 to 2 pairs of leaves remain on a lemon balm, it will reliably sprout again.

Are precautions to be taken for winter storage?

In the field, the hardy lemon balm pulls in its above-ground parts of the plant in autumn. It will sprout again from the rhizome next spring. As a houseplant, nothing speaks against consistent cultivation according to these care instructions. In view of the reduced light and temperature conditions, the need for irrigation water decreases proportionally. Fertilizer is now only every 6-8 weeks.

tips and tricks

Home gardeners who don't have much time to care for their herbs simply plant lemon balm in hydroponics. With this modern way of keeping indoor plants, the roots thrive in a mix of water and anorganic substrate, such as burnt clay pebbles.

GTH

Category:

Vegetable garden