Planting lemon balm companion plants is a great way to bring more life and balance to your garden. Here, we’ll explore a variety of plants that work well with lemon balm. Think of them as garden allies that can help improve your yields, keep pests at bay, and create a healthier, more resilient environment!
What Is Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)?
Lemon balm is a fragrant member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Also known as bee balm and honey balm, it’s a perennial herb native to Eurasia that’s valued for its lemony scent and calming properties.
Its uses range from culinary (added to soups and sauces) to medicinal (as a digestive and sleep aid), and also ornamental. When planted in a garden, lemon balm’s attractive smell can draw in pollinators like bees and butterflies while also repelling pests like aphids and spider mites.
Planting it alongside other herbs, vegetables, and flowers has practical benefits, ultimately leading to a more balanced ecosystem.
Best Lemon Balm Companion Plants
Vegetables
Tomatoes
Lemon balm’s scent can deter pests that prey on tomatoes (like flea beetles and ants). It also attracts beneficial insects that help pollinate flowers, making tomatoes thrive.
Brassicas (Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts)
These leafy vegetables often fall prey to insects like cabbage worms and aphids. Having lemon balm nearby may discourage any pest invasion. Additionally, some gardeners believe that having lemon balm planted nearby improves the overall flavor of brassicas.
Peppers
Similarly, peppers benefit from having lemon balm nearby, as it can repel pests and attract pollinators, leading to a better harvest.
Herbs
Lavender & Rosemary
These herbs are similar to lemon balm in their need for full sun and well-draining soil; thus, growing them together won’t present any issues. Additionally, they can provide contrasting fragrances and textures, helping to maintain your garden’s diversity.
Chamomile
This herb is similar to lemon balm, particularly in terms of usage and effects. Both can attract pollinators and act as mild insect repellents. Additionally, using a chamomile-based fertilizer can help improve the soil, which in turn enhances the growth of lemon balm. Plant them both so you’ll have a steady supply of herbs for making delicious and calming teas.
Borage
Borage can be a great lemon balm companion plant, especially when they are grown near tomatoes. The presence of this herb can deter tomato hornworms, which are particularly destructive to the plant. Borage and lemon balm are also easy to grow together, as they thrive in similar conditions, particularly in terms of sun exposure and well-drained soil.
Chives & Garlic
Strong-smelling plants like chives and garlic can boost lemon balm’s pest-repellent ability, particularly against beetles and aphids. Together, they create a strong aromatic barrier that can benefit your garden.
Oregano, Thyme, and Marjoram
These low-growing Mediterranean herbs are good to grow alongside lemon balm as they all share the same care requirements. Also, this group has very distinct aromas that can deter any insects that might bother lemon balm otherwise.
Sage
Both sage and lemon balm are considered drought-tolerant, making them low-maintenance plants to grow in your garden. They’re great to grow alongside brassicas like cabbages as they deter insects that might prey on these vegetables.
Spearmint & Peppermint
These members of the mint family make for great lemon balm companion plants as they all have pest-repelling abilities, providing your garden with excellent protection against insect invaders.
They also thrive in similar conditions. Just note that both spearmint and peppermint can grow fast and may even overtake your herb garden (and lemon balm plant) if they’re not properly contained. It’s best to use containers or barriers to prevent this from happening.
Lemon Verbena & Lemon Thyme
These lemon-scented herbs are suitable companions to lemon balm, both in terms of growing conditions and culinary applications. They amplify each other’s pest-repellent abilities while also giving your garden a wonderfully fragrant, lemony scent.
Coriander (Cilantro)
This short-lived herb grows beautifully with lemon balm, and its flowers can bring in pollinators to help it thrive. Their scents also complement each other, enriching the atmosphere of your garden.
Tarragon
This lesser-known herb is a compatible companion to lemon balm, as it also enjoys similar sunlight and soil conditions. Tarragon has mild pest-repelling traits that can help support plant health. Together, they can make your garden more diverse.
Anise
This licorice-flavored herb grows tall, which can help shade the young, tender leaves of the lemon balm. Additionally, anise’s distinct aroma can deter bugs, whereas lemon balm can attract bees and other beneficial insects for pollination. They help give you a more balanced, pest-resistant ecosystem.
Flowers And Ornamentals
Marigolds
This beautiful flower isn’t just ornamental, it’s helpful for your garden, too. Marigolds are suitable for controlling nematodes (or thread-like animals) that feed on and damage a plant’s roots and stems, as well as aphids. They can make great neighbors to lemon balm, and will make your garden look more beautiful.
Nasturtiums
These cheerful flowers can act as trap crops, attracting and containing destructive aphids while protecting the lemon balm. They’re edible, too, adding color and a peppery flavor to salads and sandwiches.
Calendula
Calendula attracts lacewings, ladybugs, and hoverflies that prey on harmful pests to lemon balm and other garden plants. Meanwhile, lemon balm can attract bees, which are important for pollination.
Yarrow
Yarrow makes a good plant companion for lemon balm, as they both thrive in similar conditions and attract the same pollinators. Additionally, they have contrasting leaf shapes (yarrow has fern-like leaves, while lemon balm has heart-shaped ones) that, together, can create a visually fascinating garden display.
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