When to Plant Lemon Balm in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
Sow May to July. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is May.
Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
This Lemon Balm guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
A vigorous perennial herb with lemon-scented leaves related to mint. Easy to grow, spreads by runners and self-seeding. Can become invasive like mint. Mainly used for herbal teas, salads, and desserts. Tolerant of shade and a wide range of conditions. One of the most beginner-friendly herbs.
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | S | S/T/D | T/D | - | - | - | - | - |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 22.7°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant
Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.
How to Grow Lemon Balm in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
When to Plant
Plant Mar-May and Aug-Oct.
- Soil
- Any reasonable soil with organic matter. Tolerates most conditions.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun to part shade. Tolerates more shade than most herbs.
- Spacing
- 30cm apart, 45cm between rows
- Watering
- Regular watering for best growth. Tolerates some drought once established.
Companion plants: Most vegetables and herbs, Fruit trees
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Lemon Balm
Recommended Varieties
- Standard Melissa officinalis
Key Challenges
- Heat stress
- Needs regular watering
Pro Tips
- Afternoon shade essential
- Mulch well
- Less invasive in dry conditions
Harvesting Lemon Balm
When ready: Harvest once plant is 20cm+ tall. Best flavour before flowering.
How to harvest: Cut stems 5cm above ground. Entire plant can be cut to ground 3-4 times per season.
Where to next
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Open the planting dashboard Join Garden BuddyCommon Questions About Lemon Balm
When do you plant lemon balm in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): May to Jul
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Aug to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan to Feb, Aug to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan to Feb, Aug to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jan, Sep to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): May to Jul
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jan to Feb, Aug to Dec
Does lemon balm grow all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are May to Jul. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.