Life Span
Annual
Perennial
Type
Tender Perennial
Herbs
Origin
Mediterranean, Turkey, Canary Islands, Africa, Southern Africa, Madagascar, South Africa, Iraq, Iran, Western Asia
Southern Europe
Types
'Americana Bright Red' geranium, 'Allure Light Pink' geranium, 'Candy Cherry' geranium, 'Elegance Imperial' regal geranium
Melissa officinalis
Habitat
Mediterranean region
Dappled Shade, Mediterranean region, Shady Edge, Woodland Garden
USDA Hardiness Zone
12-15
4-9
Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Clump-Forming
Flower Color
White, Red, Purple, Orange, Pink, Rose, Salmon, Orange Red
White, Light Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Leaf Color in Spring
White, Yellow, Red, Green, Purple, Dark Green, Bronze, Orange Red, Ivory
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
White, Yellow, Red, Green, Purple, Dark Green, Bronze, Orange Red, Ivory
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
White, Yellow, Red, Green, Purple, Dark Green, Bronze, Orange Red, Ivory
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Light Green
Leaf Shape
Reniform
Ovate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral
Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Tolerances
-
Deer resistant, Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Grafting, Seedlings, Stem Planting
Cuttings, Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Prefer drip-irrigation instead of Over-head watering, Requires regular watering, Water Deeply, Water twice a day in the initial period
Medium
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Cut or pinch the stems, No pruning needed in the early stages, Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Prune in spring, Prune to stimulate growth, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove shoots
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Nitrogen, Potassium
Pests and Diseases
Alternaria Leaf Spot, Bacterial Blight, Bacterial Fasciation, Bacterial leaf spot, Blackleg, Botrytis Blight, Edema, Gray mold, Pseudomonas Leaf Spot, Southern Bacterial Wilt, Stem spot, Verticillium Wilt, Viruses
Gray leaf blight, Gray mold, Leaf spot, Powdery mildew
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Deer resistant, Drought
Flowers
Yes
Insignificant
Flower Petal Number
Single, Double, Semi-Double
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
Yes
Foliage Texture
Medium
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Bees
Allergy
Sinuses, Throat itching
Avoid during Pregnancy, Skin irritation
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bouquets, Showy Purposes, Used for decorating walls, fences, gates, hedges, etc.
Beautification, Cottage Garden
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
Yes
Insignificant
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Deer resistant, Insect Repellent
Medicinal Uses
Antibacterial, Diabetes, Inflammation
Antiemetic, Anxiety, Appetite enhancer, Digestion problems, Insomnia, Sedative
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Whole plant
Flowers, Leaves
Other Uses
Oil is used in perfume, soaps, creams, etc., Used as Ornamental plant, Used for fragrance
Can be made into a herbal tea, Medicinal oil, Used as insect repellent, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in herbal medicines
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Alpine, Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Foundation, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical
Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable
Botanical Name
PELARGONIUM
MELISSA officinalis
Common Name
Florist Geranium, Geranium
Lemonbalm, balm, common balm, balm mint
In Hindi
Geranium
नींबू बाम
In German
Geranie
Lemonbalm
In French
Géranium
mélisse
In Spanish
Geranio
Lemonbalm
In Greek
γεράνι
Lemonbalm
In Portuguese
Gerânio
Lemonbalm
In Polish
Pelargonia
Lemonbalm
In Latin
Geranium
CITRAGO
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Geraniales
Lamiales
Family
Geraniaceae
Lamiaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots