{"product_id":"lemon-balm","title":"Lemon Balm","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLemon Balm\u003c\/strong\u003e (Melissa Officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family. Lemon Balm is\u003cspan\u003e easy to grow from seed or rooted cuttings and thrives in full sun, but can be grown in partial shade.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring summer, small white flowers full of nectar appear that attract bees, hence the genus Melissa (Greek for “honey bee”)\u003c\/span\u003e. Its leaves are often used for flavouring food, in herbal teas and for aromatherapy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eBenefits \u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator \u0026amp; Pest \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttracts\u003c\/strong\u003e Honeybees\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strong scent of Lemon Balm comes in handy again as it helps to \u003cstrong\u003erepel harmful pests\u003c\/strong\u003e like mosquitoes and gnats from your plants. It is also great to use in place of citronella as a natural mosquito repellent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCulinary \u0026amp; Medicinal Use\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLemon Balm has a strong lemony scent and produces flowers that are filled with nectar, attracting bees to your garden. Bees are a great addition to have around as they help to pollinate your plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNutritional Benefits\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eContains \u003cstrong data-end=\"4163\" data-start=\"4144\"\u003erosmarinic acid\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-end=\"4175\" data-start=\"4165\"\u003ecitral\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong data-end=\"4195\" data-start=\"4181\"\u003eflavonoids\u003c\/strong\u003e with \u003cstrong data-end=\"4234\" data-start=\"4201\"\u003eantioxidant and antimicrobial\u003c\/strong\u003e effects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHigh in \u003cstrong data-end=\"4269\" data-start=\"4256\"\u003evitamin C\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-end=\"4279\" data-start=\"4271\"\u003eiron\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong data-end=\"4303\" data-start=\"4285\"\u003eessential oils\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGarden Performance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eEasy to grow in \u003cstrong data-end=\"4368\" data-start=\"4352\"\u003epots or beds\u003c\/strong\u003e. Spreads easily, so control may be needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFast growing, making it a great \u003cstrong data-end=\"4473\" data-start=\"4448\"\u003egroundcover or filler\u003c\/strong\u003e in permaculture designs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eHow To Use\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLemon Balm \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eflourishes under the following conditions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeason\u003c\/strong\u003e: Spring to Autumn\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e: 15\u003cspan\u003e-25°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGerminate \u003c\/strong\u003e10-20 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDepth:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 3 mm \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 15 x 15 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cspan\u003e70 - 90\u003c\/span\u003e days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 20 - 30 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"productinfo\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSummer\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"productinfo\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExposure\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fairly sunny, 3-4 hours of sun\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eIdeal Growing Environment:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePrefers a well drained \u003ca title=\"Substrate\" href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/category\/soil\/substrate\"\u003esubstrate\u003c\/a\u003e with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/tags\/?tag=Amendment\" title=\"Amendments\"\u003eamendments\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca title=\"Craft Soil\" href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/tags\/?tag=Craft%20Soil\"\u003epre-made soil\u003c\/a\u003e containing all the necessary base additives. Ideal pH 6.0–7.5.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eKeep evenly moist, especially in dry areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eMonthly feeding with \u003ca title=\"Mushroom Compost\" href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/mushroom-compost\"\u003eorganic compost\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca title=\"Seaweed Extract\" href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/kelpak\"\u003eseaweed emulsion\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTolerates moderate to high humidity (50–80%) well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eWell-suited to KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and parts of Mpumalanga and Gauteng with partial shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eLemon Balm spreads quickly so make sure to control it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits\u003c\/strong\u003e from\u003cstrong\u003e being planted alongside \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/tags\/?tag=Tomatoes\" title=\"Tomato Options\"\u003etomatoes\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/broccoli-green-sprouting\" title=\"Broccoli\"\u003ebroccoli\u003c\/a\u003e, cabbage, squash, \u003c\/strong\u003eand\u003cstrong\u003e fruit trees.\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntercropping\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pair with \u003ca title=\"Tomato Options\" href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/tags\/?tag=Tomatoes\"\u003etomatoes\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Capsicum Options\" href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/tags\/?tag=Capsicums\"\u003ecapsicums\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Broccoli\" href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/broccoli-green-sprouting\"\u003ebroccoli\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca title=\"Strawberry Milan F1\" href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/strawberry-milan-f1\"\u003estrawberries\u003c\/a\u003e to deter pests.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrop Rotation\u003c\/strong\u003e: Use as companions or rotate after heavy feeders. Perennials (\u003ca title=\"Rosemary\" href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/rosemary-simplyherbs\"\u003erosemary\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Winter Thyme\" href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/thyme-winter\"\u003ethyme\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Lavender Blue Spear\" href=\"https:\/\/greenhouston.co.za\/products\/lavender-blue-spear\"\u003elavender\u003c\/a\u003e) stay in place longer.\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSoil Rejuvenation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e: Enhance soil microbes; use as borders between cycles.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eAvoid planting with mint family \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eherbs unless space is ample (can become invasive).\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor placement of large orders contact us at: office@greenhouston.co.za \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Green Houston","offers":[{"title":"0.025g (50 Seeds)","offer_id":46381179601139,"sku":"","price":14.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true},{"title":"0.1g (200 Seeds)","offer_id":46381179633907,"sku":"","price":44.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0344\/9087\/6044\/files\/Lemon_Balm_Bunch.png?v=1755000287","url":"https:\/\/greenwares.myshopify.com\/products\/lemon-balm","provider":"Green Houston","version":"1.0","type":"link"}