Lime Balm (Melissa officinalis ssp. altissima), packet of 30 seeds, organic

$3.95

Family: Mint (Lamiacea)

Hardy to Zones 6 to 9

(Crete Balm) Herbaceous perennial to 2 feet,  native to the mediterranean and hardy to 20 degrees F.  Light-green lime-flavored foliage is softly pubescent, with outsize flowers of light lavender. Good for tea or nibbling fresh.  A rare and unusual subspecies of lemon balm.  Cultivation: Light-dependent germinator. Scarify seed lightly on fine sandpaper and sow outdoors in the fall or very early spring or provide 2 weeks of cold conditioning by placing seed in moist medium in a container in the fridge and sow outdoors or in the greenhouse.  Germ. in 10-40 days. Prefers full sun or shade; normal garden soil and moderate water. Plant 1.5 feet apart.

30 seeds/pkt., Certified Organically Grown

In stock

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  1. Question

    Annie Ryan (verified owner)

    I planted the seeds last year in zone 7 it grew huge! Same thing now. My question is what can I do with all the leaves except dried for tea? Can I tincture lime balm the same way I would lemon balm? Does it have the same medicinal value as lemon balm? I have found nothing on web searches. Thank you

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Annie, It’s a subspecies of lemon balm. It works well as an annual barrier–tall and thick. In the fall, I like to use the multiple brittle stems in my composting work–very good carbon source. bees love it, you can make tea of it, its a big, robust plant.
      Richo

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    • One person found this helpful

      Cheryl Webb (verified owner)

      This plant (lime balm) has been returning in my garden for the last two years. I am in zone three where we regularly go down to -20 f or below in the winter. I only cover it with some leaves. So it is acting as a hardy perennial.

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    • Nicole (verified owner)

      Hi, I am also curious if this has the same medicinal attributes/value as lemon balm? Would you consider it medicinally interchangeable with lemon balm?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Nicole, Lime balm is for all practical purposes interchangeable with lemon balm. If one were to have any doubts, knowing that lime balm is a valued tea herb in Mediterranean countries where it grows wild is reassuring. For those that find the hot terpenes found in lemon balm to be a bit intense, lime balm is a welcome substitute–it is a bit mellower. I personally recently have been using neither of them. I’ve been drinking thyme tea and its keeping me healthy and sane. Richo

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    • Grace

      Hey Annie! I was wondering The same thing about whether this sub species has the same medicinal qualities as lemon balm. Once learning that it is also Melissa officinalis, and not just a misleading common name, I was reassured that yes – they are interchangeable. The subspecies may have slightly different concentrations of the terpines and medicinal compounds, and it may affect you personally in a slightly different way since everyone’s system is unique. Just listen to your body and see if it feels the same or slightly different than when you consume its lemony cousin 🙂

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    • Drina Carbajal

      Hi I was wondering if this is invasive like mint ???

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    • Mayche Cech

      Mayche Cech

      Hi Drina,
      Lime balm spreads differently from Mint. It self-seeds, whereas mint is stoloniferous. Richo

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