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Bee Balm / Monarda Seeds

Discover the vibrant world of Bee Balm, the common name for the beautiful and highly aromatic Monarda family. Our collection features three distinct varieties, each offering unique colors and scents while sharing the Bee Balm's signature appeal to pollinators.

These hardy, native North American wildflowers are renowned for their ornamental beauty and strong, fragrant foliage. Whether you choose the citrusy scent of Lemon Mint, the showy spots of Spotted Bee Balm, or the classic aroma of Bergamot (Wild Bee Balm), your garden will be transformed into a buzzing haven.

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Survival Garden Seeds offers bee balm seeds for sale, including planting instructions for optimal growth. This plant is known for its striking flowers and delightful fragrance. Our non-GMO seeds are selected for their vigor and ability to produce abundant, healthy plants.

Growing Bee Balm Seeds in Your Garden

  • North American native wildflower
  • Aromatic leaves with a citrusy scent
  • Highly attractive to native pollinators
  • Heirloom, non-GMO seeds

INTRODUCING BEE BALM SEEDS

Bee Balm, scientifically known as Monarda, is a plant with distinctive spiky flowers ranging in color. Most often, its flowers are pink to purple. Bee Balm’s leaves emit a citrus-like fragrance when they are crushed, bringing a wonderful taste to herbal teas. Also known as horsemint, this is a North American native plant with a long history of use by indigenous peoples for its medicinal properties. Suitable for growing in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9, bee balm is a resilient plant, enhancing garden spaces.

PLANTING BEE BALM SEEDS

To cultivate bee balm successfully, sow the seeds directly to the garden spot in fall or early spring. These seeds require light for germination. Simply press them onto the surface without covering them. Bergamot prefers a garden location with full sun exposure for at least part of the day. The soil should keep the moisture without becoming waterlogged. Germination starts in 10 to 30 days, depending on conditions.

MAINTAINING MONARDA PLANTS

Once rooted, the monarda plant needs moderate care. This North American native plant is adaptable to growing conditions in a variety of environments but requires sufficient moisture with good air circulation as monarda can be susceptible to powdery mildew. Bergamot plants can be divided every several years. This will aid in their vigor and will prevent overcrowding. Bergamot leaves and flowers can be harvested during their entire growing season. Leaves are best used fresh, while the flowers add flavor to salads and herbal infusions.

Start growing these amazing plants, and enjoy their lovely aroma straight from the backyard garden. Enjoy the benefits of its aromatic leaves and striking flowers, whether brewed into tea or used to attract pollinators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are heirloom seeds?

Heirloom seeds are the types of seeds your grandparents grew. These varieties have been passed down from generation to generation. They’re old reliable open-pollinated varieties that aren’t typically grown commercially. Instead, they have a rich history that predates modern breeding techniques. You can learn more about open-pollinated, heirloom, and non-GMO seeds in our Survival Garden Training blog.

How do I know my seeds are fresh?

Every seed packet includes a "packed for" date, and we germination test each seed lot before packaging to ensure you receive viable, high-quality seeds that are ready to grow.

Are your seeds chemically treated?

No, we do not pre-treat our seeds. All of our garden seeds are untreated, open-pollinated, non-GMO, and heirloom varieties. They are kept in temperature-controlled cooler storage until they are packed and shipped to keep them pest and disease-free.

Will your seeds grow in my USDA Hardiness zone?

The seeds in our collections are specifically chosen from varieties that can be successfully grown from Zone 3 to Zone 10 USDA Hardiness Zones. However, individual varieties have specific needs to thrive in different environments. Each seed pack has optimal temperatures for germination and instructions on seed starting. Consult local frost dates to plan your garden and get the most out of your seeds.

What is the shelf life of these garden seeds?

Most seeds remain viable for 3 to 5 years or longer when stored properly. Check your seed packet for specific varieties. For best results, keep your seeds in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Store them in an airtight container in a consistent temperature environment—a refrigerator or cool basement works well. Proper storage helps maintain germination rates and extends seed life well beyond the packed date.

Where are Survival Garden Seeds sourced?

The majority of our seeds are sourced in the United States, with a few exceptions when the seed is difficult to source domestically. Whenever we do have to source outside of the US, we ensure our seeds are safe to grow, non-GMO, heirloom varieties that meet our standards for germination and reliability.

Learn more in the blog

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