CITRONELLA BALM IS THE BANE OF ALL FLIES AND MOZZIES! RUB IT ON YOUR SKIN TO REPEL MOZZIES AND GNATS! A POT OUTSIDE YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS CAN REPEL THOSE NASTIES FOREVER! ATTRACTS BEES AND BUTTERFLIES! LUSH LEAVES AND PRETTY TOO! THE NAME MELISSA OFFICINALIS COMES FROM ‘MELISSA’ WHICH IS THE GREEK WORD FOR BEE!

Description
Melissa officinalis citronella- Bursting with a relaxing, soothing scent, this is the most fragrant, flavourful variety available. A lush, bushy growth habit with flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Use in herbal teas, fruit, and fish dishes, or plant in a pot as a mosquito repellent for your outdoor sitting area. Not the same as ordinary Lemon Balm but one of the family of Lemon Balms, Citronella Balm contains citronellol and citronellal, the chemicals responsible for the citronella scent.

We love this herb! Simply crush a handful of the leaves for a burst of citronella fragrance and rub on exposed skin to deter pesky mosquitoes and gnats.

The leaves are bright green and about 2 inches long with toothed edges. Although citronella balm is a member of the mint family, it is a less aggressive spreader. To the casual glance the leaves resemble spearmint leaves, probably why it’s sometimes misidentified as lemon mint.

As with lemon balm, citronella balm is a favourite of bees. The botanical name “Melissa” is derived from the Greek word for bee.

Grow Notes
Plant in full sun to part shade in fertile, moist soil. Suitable for containers or gardens.

It is more compact and more mildew resistant than the common lemon balm.

Sow
Sow in Spring, pressing seed onto the soil surface and barely covering. Keep moist until germination.

Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant at a spacing of 45cm into the garden or 3 seedlings per 15cm pot.

Germination
10-14 days.

Maturity
Herbaceous Perennial.