Monarda citriodora, often lovingly referred to as lemon mint or lemon beebalm, is a delightful hardy annual (sometimes biennial) plant that thrives in rocky or sandy prairies, pastures, and along roadsides. This plant makes its home from South Carolina and Florida all the way to Missouri, Texas, and even Mexico, growing to a charming height of 12 to 30 inches.
One of the standout features of lemon mint is its stunning tubular, fragrant flowers, which bloom in delightful hues of light lavender, pink, and white. These blossoms, forming dense and rounded clusters, grace us from spring until mid-summer. The flowers rise atop robust square stems accented with narrow lanceolate to oblong leaves that have serrated edges and can reach lengths of up to 2.5 inches. You may also spot some of the upper stem leaves arranged in a charming whorl! Each flower stem usually bears 2 to 6 clusters of flowers, and each cluster is enveloped in soft bracts that can vary from white to pink-lavender.
These enchanting flowers are a favorite among bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, especially when they bloom in masses. If you happen to rub the leaves, you’ll be greeted with a distinct lemony aroma, adding to the plant’s charm. Interestingly, some monardas are affectionately called bee balm because their leaves were once recognized for soothing bee stings.
BONAP MAP
Height: 1’-2.5’ Spread: .75’-1’ Bloom: May-August Light: Full Sun-Part Shade Water: Low-Medium Zone: 2-11 Origin: Texas, Central & Southern U.S. & Northern Mexico
