When to Plant Lemon Balm in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide
Sow August to February. Right now in September you can sow.
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 Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs 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 Cool Temperate
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/T/D | T | - | - | - | - | - | S | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant
Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.
How to Grow Lemon Balm in Cool Temperate Australia
When to Plant
Plant Sep-Nov. Dies back in winter.
- 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
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Lemon Balm
Recommended Varieties
- Standard Melissa officinalis
Key Challenges
- Winter dormancy
Pro Tips
- Perfectly suited to this zone
- Mulch crown lightly in winter
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.
Common Lemon Balm Pests in Cool Temperate Zones
Organic prevention: Good air circulation. Avoid overfertilising.
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 Melbourne?
No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Jan to Feb, Aug to Dec. 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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.