Melissa officinalis 'Aurea' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

yellow-leaved lemon balm

Synonyms

Melissa officinalis 'Variegata' misapplied

Herbaceous Perennial Herbs - Culinary

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A bushy herbaceous perennial to 30cm tall, with square stems and toothed, wrinkled, dark green leaves, heavily splashed yellow at the margins. The foliage is aromatic when crushed, with a strong lemon fragrance. Leafy, whorled spikes of pale lilac-tinted, white flowers are borne in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Melissa are herbaceous perennials with broadly ovate, aromatic leaves and small 2-lipped white flowers in spikes in summer
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor, well-drained soil in full sun, with protection from excessive winter wet. Cut back in early summer for a new flush of vibrantly-coloured growth. Drought resistant once established

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Cut back old top-growth in winter

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free