Lemon Balm , also known as Lemon Mint , is a member of the Mint menage and , like its relatives , it has the potential to become invasive in the garden if not properly managed . This means that if left to its own gadget , Lemon Balm can speedily spread and take over the country where it is planted .
One of the ways Lemon Balm can become invasive is through self - sowing . It produces diminished flowers that attract pollinators , such as bees , which then help in the process of seed production . These seed can well scatter and evolve in the besiege area , leading to novel Lemon Balm flora kill up where they may not be desired .
To forbid Lemon Balm from becoming invasive , it is important to remove the blossom before they have a opportunity to set seed . By doing so , you may assist control the spread of the plant and forestall it from self - seed freely . Regularly scrutinize your Lemon Balm plants and take any flowers that you see to keep them from last to seed .
In addition to ego - sowing , Lemon Balm can also spread through its surreptitious rhizome . These are horizontal stems that grow underground and can send up new shoots at various points along their distance . If left unchecked , these rootstalk can head to Lemon Balm spreading and colonizing great areas of your garden .
To keep the rhizomes from unfold , it is important to regularly monitor your Lemon Balm plants and bump off any shoots that are growing out of doors of the desired area . This can be done by gently digging up the plant and cutting off any rhizomes that have extended beyond their intended bound . Be sure to remove all plant material and dispose of it properly to preclude any inadvertent re - organization .
Another strategy to prevent Lemon Balm from becoming invasive is to grow it in container . By confining the plant to a mint or upraise bottom , you may check its bedcover and prevent it from hold over your garden . This is in particular useful if you enjoy using Lemon Balm for its culinary or medicinal properties but want to keep it hold .
In my personal experience , I have found that Lemon Balm can indeed be invasive if not decently get by . I once had a small eyepatch of Lemon Balm in my herb garden that quickly spread out and started to impinge upon neighboring plants . It accept some effort to polish off the excess plants and hold the spread , but by on a regular basis removing prime and supervise the rhizomes , I was able to keep it in arrest .
Lemon Balm has the voltage to become invasive in the garden if left unmanaged . Its ability to self - sow and spread through rhizomes can pass to it taking over large areas if not controlled . By removing heyday , monitoring and command rhizome , or produce Lemon Balm in container , you’re able to prevent it from becoming invading and enjoy its benefits without the worry of it take over your garden .
Caroline Bates
