Melissa

The most common type is Melissa officinalis (Melissa officinalis) - a herbaceous perennial resistant plant, often found in nature. Its leaves emit a lemon smell. Although it is valued as an ornamental crop, it is more often used as an aromatic herb and in the production of liqueurs. It is a pubescent plant with a height of 30 cm to 1 m, with a branched stem, oval or elliptical light green leaves. Decorative varieties, such as 'Golden', have a golden-yellow pattern on their leaves. The flowers are small, white, sometimes slightly pinkish, collected in whorls (several flowers in the axils of opposite leaves). They bloom in late spring.

The most common type is Melissa officinalis (Melissa officinalis) - a herbaceous perennial resistant plant, often found in nature. Its leaves emit a lemon smell. Although it is valued as an ornamental crop, it is more often used as an aromatic herb and in the production of liqueurs. It is a pubescent plant with a height of 30 cm to 1 m, with a branched stem, oval or elliptical light green leaves. Decorative varieties, such as 'Golden', have a golden-yellow pattern on their leaves. The flowers are small, white, sometimes slightly pinkish, collected in whorls (several flowers in the axils of opposite leaves). They bloom in late spring.

Cultivation

Melissa is grown in the open ground in curbs, as well as in pots on balconies and terraces. It is planted on a permanent planting site in October (in areas with cold winters) or March in loose fresh soil at a distance of 35-40 cm from each other. When growing in pots, sandy soil rich in organic matter is used. In moderately cold climates, mulching the soil with straw or dry leaves is recommended when growing in the open ground. In the event of a disease or pest attack, it is not recommended to carry out any chemical treatment of the soil in order to when using lemon balm as a spicy-aromatic plant, it did not turn out to be poisonous.

Location

Melissa is planted in the open sun, but in a warm climate with sunny hot summers, she prefers partial shade.

Temperature

Melissa is an unpretentious plant that easily tolerates both high and low air temperatures.

Watering

Plentiful in spring and summer. When using lemon balm as a spicy-aromatic plant, watering is significantly reduced so as not to spoil the aroma.

Transplant

They are transplanted in spring into slightly larger pots, compared to the previous ones.

Reproduction

Seeds are planted in April immediately on a permanent planting site, the grown shoots are thinned out. They are also propagated by dividing the bushes in autumn or early spring, immediately planting the resulting parts on the bed or in a pot.

Acquisition

Seeds and seedlings of lemon balm in cups or multi-seat cassettes are easy to find in flower nurseries, gardening centers and even in supermarkets. If you don't need a lot of plants, you can get them from seed.

Multifunctional application Melissa as a spicy-aromatic plant is used in many culinary recipes. Leaves and shoots are added to flavor soups and salads, fruit and other cold drinks. Herbalists use the leaves, flowers, and stems, both fresh and dried, to make tinctures for stomach aches, bad breath, diarrhea, and flatulence, as well as in combination mixtures with other herbs. In the distillery industry, it is added to the well-known chartreuse and other herbal liqueurs, in absinthe. Fresh leaves are used to extract essential oils needed in aromatherapy.

Multifunctional application

Melissa as a spicy-aromatic plant is used in many culinary recipes. Leaves and shoots are added to flavor soups and salads, fruit and other cold drinks.

Herbalists use the leaves, flowers, and stems, both fresh and dried, to make tinctures for stomach aches, bad breath, diarrhea, and flatulence, as well as in combination mixtures with other herbs.

In the distillery industry, it is added to the well-known chartreuse and other herbal liqueurs, in absinthe. Fresh leaves are used to extract essential oils needed in aromatherapy.