Growing Bee Balm (Bergamot) Flowers: Planting, Care Tips, Types of Horsemint

Image Credit: Hermann Luyken¹⁶

Bee Balm Planting

The Bee Balm is ideal for a pollinator garden alongside other plants that attract hummingbirds.

It is useful as a border plant because of its height and can be used as an ornamental planting because of its attractive flowers.

The Bee Balm thrives as a native plant, but can also be grown in other areas under the right conditions.

Is Bergamot the Same as Bee Balm?

Although Bergamot is commonly known as Bee Balm, it’s a specific variety (Scarlet Bee Balm) and attract specific types of pollinators to your garden.

Particularly, hummingbirds, bumble bees, and hawk moths, as well as some other specific bees.

By attracting a variety of pollinators to your plants, you help support the entire ecosystem of your outdoor area.

How To Grow Bee Balm

Ready to learn how to grow Bee Balm?

Planting tips for Bee Balm involve choosing the right spacing, sun exposure, watering schedule, care techniques, and other factors to maximize growth and flowering time.

Growing a Bee Balm From a Seed

Growing a Bee Balm from a seed is possible with proper patience and planning.

In early spring, plant seeds indoors in a container filled with a seeding medium. Allow 10 to 40 days for the seed to germinate.¹

Seedlings can be planted outdoors after the last frost.

When To Transplant Bee Balm

If you’re deciding when to transplant Bee Balm, think spring. Wait until seedlings are well rooted and all frost risk has passed,¹ then transplant them into moist soil in a part of the garden that receives full sun exposure.

Companion Plants For Growing Bee Balm

Ideal companion plants for growing Bee Balm include low-maintenance perennials that won’t compete with the Bee Balm for nutrients in the soil.¹⁴

Some options include other pollinator favorites like the Black-eyed Susan, coneflowers, daisies, or Liriope.

What Not To Plant With Bee Balm

What not to plant with Bee Balm is just as important to gardening success as the things you do choose to plant with Bee Balm.

Bee Balm likes neutral to acidic soil, you will need to avoid plants that thrive in alkaline conditions.

It is a relatively tall plant, you should also use care not to plant it next to much shorter flowers that will suffer in its shade.¹⁴ For that reason, it may be a better choice for back borders in a garden rather than front ones, because it will prevent Bee Balm from shading smaller plants.

When To Plant Bee Balm for Maximum Blooms

For the best yield, plant Bee Balm in early spring.¹ If you already have Bee Balms in the garden, early spring is the perfect time to divide them to improve yield.

Dig the plant out as soon as it starts to erupt from the ground. Split it into sections so that each one has at least a few shoots with leaves and a section of roots, then replant each section immediately for best results.

How Far Apart To Plant Bee Balm

Plant Bee Balm 12 inches to 3 feet apart.⁷ Proper spacing is very important not just for aesthetic reasons, but also so that the plant has room to grow to its full potential.

Adequate spacing also allows for airflow, which is healthy for the plant and can help prevent disease as the plant grows over time.

Best Growing Conditions for Bee Balm

The best-growing conditions for Bee Balm are those that provide full sun exposure, which includes at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.⁷ While the plant will tolerate partial sun, it will grow faster and thrive with full sun exposure.

Native Bee Balm also prefers acid or neutral soil with a pH below 8.0.⁷ Soil should be nutrient-rich and well-draining; clay soil is preferred.

How Much Sunlight Does Bee Balm Need Each Day?

The question of how much sunlight does Bee Balm need each day is a very important one when adding this plant to your garden. Bee Balm needs full sun, which means it should be in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day.⁷

While Bee Balm will tolerate less sun, it will not grow as quickly, and may not blossom to its full potential.

Watering Needs for Bee Balm Plants

Watering needs for Bee Balms are fairly minimal. The plant requires watering every 7 to 10 days.⁶

Each time you water it, you should take the time to saturate it so that the soil is moist down to at least 6 or 8 inches below the ground. Mulch around the plant regularly to help with moisture control, keep water from evaporating too quickly, and also to protect the roots of the plant from the cold of the winter.

How To Deadhead Bee Balm

While figuring out how to deadhead Bee Balm may seem complex, it’s a surprisingly easy process that can make a big difference in the appearance of this plant.

Deadheading simply means cutting off flower heads after they have died off. This allows the plant to focus on fresh, new buds instead of old, dying ones.

It extends the flowering season for Bee Balm and keeps the plant looking its healthiest.

In addition to deadheading, it’s important to take the time to divide Bee Balms every two to three years.¹ This is required because the center of the plants tends to die off as it spreads over time.

To remedy this, cut out old sections and dispose of them while cutting and dividing newer growth to create more room for the plant to spread out.

Bee Balm Threats

Like all plants, Bee Balm faces challenges. Bee Balm threats include both diseases and pests, but both can be handled with proper care and maintenance.

Bee Balm Disease Prevention

Bee Balm disease prevention begins with understanding the diseases that plague this plant.

In the majority of gardens, the most common Bee Balm disease is powdery mildew or Erysiphe.¹⁵ This disease appears as white patches or spots on the leaves of Bee Balm.

Left untreated, the leaves will wither, turn brown and die. Failure to address this disease not only affects the aesthetic of Bee Balm but also its long-term health.

How To Stop Bee Balm Disease

If you’re wondering how to stop Bee Balm disease you may be surprised to learn that there are a variety of techniques you can use, and many require no chemicals.¹⁵

• Ensure adequate spacing and airflow: Overcrowding is an invitation for powdery mildew to take over your Bee Balm and other garden plants. You can avoid this with proper garden planning and by regularly dividing your Bee Balms every two to three years to create more space.
• Remove dead leaves: Once you spot white spots or patches on Bee Balm leaves, the best course of action is to remove those diseased leaves by hand. This keeps the disease from spreading and helps to maintain the appearance of the plant.
• Cut plants back as soon as they top 12 inches of height:¹ Once Bee Balm is a foot tall, cut it back to about half of its height. This not only makes it more resistant to mildew but can also improve flowering potential over time.¹
• Cut back diseased plants to the ground level: If you have a plant consumed by powdery mildew, cut it all the way down to the ground to stop the spread of the disease and save the plant.
• Apply fungicides with care: Check your local gardening center for fungicides that can be used to fight powdery mildew if all alternative attempts at fighting this disease have failed.

Common Pests of the Bee Balm Plant

Common pests of the Bee Balm include:¹⁵

• Aphids: Tiny insects that feast on new plant growth
• Stalk borers: Pests that tunnel up and down inside the stems of Bee Balm and other plants
• Thrips: Tiny white insects that consume the petals and pollen of Bee Balm
• Spider mites: Build webs on leaves, eventually turning leaves yellow

Natural Pest Control for Bee Balm

While several pests can interfere with the growth of this plant, natural pest control for Bee Balm is possible:¹⁵

• Cut and remove any dead or damaged sections of leaves or stalks
• Deadhead flowers as they die off and divide plants every few years as recommended
• Try using a garden hose to direct a spray of water at aphids, thrips, mites, or other insects living on the outside of plants
• Remove visible insects, nests, or egg casings by hand and dispose of them far away from your garden

If natural pest control methods aren’t doing enough to deter insects from feasting on your Bee Balms, you may have to turn to chemical pesticides.

One option is to use an insecticidal soap or an ultra-fine horticultural oil.¹⁵ These soaps or oils are designed to kill insects on your plants without harming the plants or preventing them from blooming normally.

Because insects can vary across the country, it’s always best to check with your local nursery to see what they recommend in terms of garden pest control products. Protect yourself when using these types of chemicals by reading the label and only using them according to the product instructions.