Lemon balm leaves are ridged and oval- to heart-shaped. It does belong to the mint family and has many similar growth habits. You might mistake lemon balm for mint until you smell its lemony fragrance. It has a history of use both as a medicinal and culinary herb, dating back to at least 300 BC. The herb is originally native to southern Europe but has now made its way around the world and is grown in many areas. In USDA hardiness zones 4-9, lemon balm is an herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground in winter and sprouts back up in spring. Its botanical name, Melissa, comes from the Greek word for “bee” because of how the herb attracts pollinators. Lemon balm ( Melissa officianalis) belongs to the mint family and has the typical vigorous growth associated with that group of plants.
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