There are two occasions when hobby gardeners cut back lemon balm. They primarily use scissors to harvest the aromatic leaves. In addition, a complete pruning is due in autumn. Find out the details here.
When and how do I cut lemon balm correctly?
Lemon balm is cut back to 10 cm several times during the growing season for harvest, preferably in the morning with sharpened, disinfected tools. In autumn or spring, pruning is carried out close to the ground and seeds can be harvested beforehand.
Cutting for the harvest – that’s what matters with lemon balm
Lemon balm is one of the particularly vigorous herbal plants. Lovingly cared for, it produces up to 4 harvests per season. How to handle it correctly:
- always cut back the branches to a height of 10 centimeters shortly before flowering
- take action in the early hours of the morning when the dew has disappeared
- basically use freshly sharpened, meticulously disinfected tools (€6.00 on Amazon)
Skilled hobby gardeners immediately preserve a surplus harvest by drying, freezing or pickling. In this way, lemon balm can be stored for up to 12 months to serve as an ingredient for refreshing drinks, hot or cold dishes. In addition, the leaves are used in many ways in natural medicine.
Autumn pruning of lemon balm – this is how it works
When Grim Reaper knocks on the garden door, the lemon balm retreats into its hardy rhizome. The branches, flowers and leaves have done their job for this year. You can optionally cut back the shoots before or after winter.
If you feel disturbed by the withered appearance, cut back close to the ground before the first frost. Otherwise, the branches remain on the plant as additional winter protection until shortly before the next shoot.
Harvest seeds before cutting
Forward-looking hobby gardeners secure a supply of seeds for propagation in good time before cutting back in autumn. The seeds are in the brown fruits. These are picked before they burst open and scatter the seeds to the four winds. Stored dry and cool, sow the next generation of vital lemon balm indoors from March.
Alternatively, sow seeds in warm autumn soil. This has the advantage that particularly robust seedlings grow from the seeds.
Tips & Tricks
Are you reluctant to give up the refreshing pleasure of lemon balm during the winter? Then simply cultivate the aromatic lemon herb as a houseplant. You can harvest the delicate leaves all year round on the sunny windowsill or in the partially shaded corner.