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Lemon Mint Herb

Monarda Citriodora · Lamiaceae

Lemon-scented mint-family herb with pinkish purple flower whorls that attract bees and hummingbirds. The leaves can be used fresh in teas and cool dishes, and the plant brings strong pollinator value to herb borders. Key facts: 90 days to maturity, 6+ hours of sun, 12–18 " spacing. Container-friendly (minimum 3-gallon pot).

Updated April 19, 2026 · Backed by 4 cited sources
Overview

At a Glance

The essentials first: timing, light, spacing, seed-starting, container fit, and overall size.

Days to maturity
90 days
Sun
6+ hours
Full Sun
Spacing
12–18 "
between plants
Seed start
0–4 weeks
before transplant
Container
Yes
3+ gallon pot
Height
1.5–2.5 ft
at maturity
Planting window

Zone Planting Guide

Switch zones to see whether this plant is a strong fit, what frost timing looks like, and any extra notes worth planning around.

This card updates instantly with viability, frost timing, and any planting notes for your selected zone.

Resilience

Plant Health

Stress tolerance, resistance notes, and the most common problems to watch for as plants mature.

Tolerance
Heat: High Cold: Low Drought: Moderate

Common Issues

Feeding & picking

Nutrition & Harvest

How hungry the plant is, what ripe harvest looks like, and how long the crop keeps after picking.

Feeding
Nutrition
Feeding intensityLight feeder
RecipesWorm Castings Topdress
Timing
Harvest

Pick leaves any time once stems are well established; harvest flowering tops when the first colorful whorls open.

Expected yield0.25–0.6 lbs/plant
Storage4 days — Use fresh quickly or dry leaves and flowering tops in a dark airy place.
Plant relationships

Companion Planting

Helpful neighbors can support growth or deter pests. Keep antagonistic plants separated to reduce stress and competition.

Avoid planting near
Nantes Carrot
What you'll need

Growing Supplies

Based on Lemon Mint's growth profile -- recommendations matched to this variety's specific requirements.

Drip irrigation / soaker hose kit

Every gardener benefits from putting water at the root zone instead of on the leaves, because drip and soaker systems reduce foliar disease pressure by limiting leaf wetness and soil splash. A quality kit should include a backflow preventer, filter, pressure reducer, and UV-resistant tubing.

Source: Iowa State University Extension; Colorado State University Extension; UMass Extension

Soil test kit

A soil test gives a baseline for pH and nutrient status so gardeners can add only what the soil actually needs. Prioritize a mail-in or lab-affiliated kit whenever possible because extension guidance notes that laboratory testing is more accurate than instant readers.

Source: University of Maryland Extension; Purdue Extension; Montana State University Extension

Quality bypass pruners

Extension guidance favors bypass designs because they make cleaner, closer cuts on living tissue than anvil types. Look for hardened steel blades that can be sharpened, a comfortable grip, and a cutting capacity matched to real home-garden stems.

Source: University of New Hampshire Extension; Iowa State University Extension; Purdue University Extension

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Research

Sources

Reference material and extension guidance used to build this growing guide.

seed_catalog SeedsNowuniversity NC State Extensionuniversity UGA Cooperative Extensioninference Germination and spacing details inferred from Monarda citriodora culture
Internal links

Lemon Mint Herb Planting Dates by Zone

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