Plant field guide
Bee Balm
Unique shaggy flower heads attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees in droves. Aromatic foliage smells of mint.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Monarda didyma
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 24 in (61 cm) – 48 in (122 cm)
- Spread
- 18 in (46 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spacing
- 18 in (46 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–9; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- moderate
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: March.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Prone to powdery mildew - choose resistant varieties (Jacob Cline, Coral Reef). Good air circulation essential. Spreads via runners.
Pruning
Cut back dead stems in early spring. Deadhead spent flowers for rebloom. Divide every 2-3 years to control spread.
Fertilizer
Balanced organic
Early spring
Mulch
2 inches of organic mulch.