Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)


Bee Balm Plant Features

Roll out the welcome mat for hungry bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds by including a generous helping of monarda, commonly called bee balm, in your garden. Its nectar-rich blooms come in a variety of colors and appear on the plants from midsummer to early fall. It's a fast-growing perennial that grows 18 to 24 inches tall and thrives in sunny locations. Monarda is deer- and rabbit-resistant, too!  Hardy from zones 3-8.

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Bee Balm Growing Instructions

Plant monarda in a sunny spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. It's a prairie native so it can tolerate dry soil, but does best in fertile, slightly moist locations. Monarda can occasionally become invasive so be sure to plant it where you can control its spread.

Some older forms of monarda are susceptible to Powdery Mildew which defoliates the plants during hot, humid weather. To avoid this, read the plant tag and purchase varieties with built-in disease resistance.

Note: We do not recommend bee balm for human or animal consumption.

  • Water

    Medium water needs

  • Light

    Outside: Sun

  • Colors

    Pink

    Purple

    Red

    White

  • Special Features

    Attracts butterflies

    Attracts hummingbirds

    Deer/rabbit resistant

    Super-easy to grow


Complement your Bee Balm

Liatris
Both liatris and monarda are American natives with similar needs and bloom times. Pair them for special effect.


Our favorite varieties

Balmy Purple Bee Balm

Balmy Purple Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Balmy Purple'

This bee balm offers outstanding purple flowers, a nice tidy habit, and excellent resistance to powdery mildew disease! It flowers in late spring and summer, growing 16 inches tall and 14 inches wide. Zones 4-8

Balmy Lilac Bee Balm

Balmy Lilac Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Balmy Lilac'

Balmy Lilac grows smaller than old-fashioned varieties, shows off more flowers (in a lovely shade of lilac purple), and resists disease like a champ. It grows 18 inches tall and 14 inches wide. Zones 4-8

Balmy Rose Bee Balm

Balmy Rose Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Balmy Rose'

Balmy Rose bee balm is a deer-, rabbit-, and disease-resistant selection that blooms in late spring and summer with rosy-pink flowers. Balmy Rose grows 18 inches tall and 14 inches wide. Zones 4-8