Regardless of its Mediterranean origins, lemon balm is equipped with robust winter hardiness. You should still pay attention to the following tips for proper wintering in the bed and on the balcony.
How can you overwinter lemon balm successfully?
To successfully overwinter lemon balm, you should cut it back close to the ground in autumn, place it in the pot on a protected south wall, place insulating material underneath and protect the root ball with bubble wrap or fleece and a layer of straw, leaves or brushwood.
Pruning before winter recommended
In late autumn, the lemon balm begins to pull in its above-ground plant parts. This process manifests itself in wilting leaves and flowers. The underground rhizome does not rely on the leaves for winter protection, so pruning close to the ground is possible without any problems. This measure contributes to the well-kept appearance of the garden. You will also create the conditions for unhindered budding next year.
This prevents the root ball from freezing in the pot
While the rhizome in the ground is well protected from frosty temperatures, this advantage does not apply to lemon balm in the pot. To ensure that the root ball does not freeze and die during the winter, the following precautions are advisable:
- Place lemon balm in the pot in front of the south wall of the house during the winter
- place the planter on insulating wood or polystyrene panels (€56.00 on Amazon)
- wrap with bubble wrap or thick fleece
- cover the substrate with straw, leaves, brushwood or sawdust
If a frost-free winter quarter is available, lemon balm is happy to take advantage of it. It can be dark here because budding is undesirable during the cold season. If some shoots still develop, they will be cut off in spring.
Tips & Tricks
In winter, lemon balm is threatened by drought stress much more often than during summer. If the cold season is characterized by deep frost, lots of sunshine and little snow, meteorologists speak of cold frost. Experienced hobby gardeners go out on frost-free days with a filled watering can to water the lemon balm in the pot and bed.
