Lemon balm is a delightful herb. I first came across growing happily in my new house's garden.

Just brushing past it releases a wonderful scent. Imagine lemon, but without the tartness.

I love watering it in the evenings, not because it needs it, but because this releases more of the scent.

It grows very fast after being cut, but not so fast so that it's invasive.


In the autumn, it starts to die off. Cut the stems as they will never grow leaves again. What I do is is scatter the cut stems on a path, and stepping on them releases even more of the lovely scent.

Don't worry about the remains of your lemon balm plant. It will grow again nice and vigorously in the spring, bushier than ever.


Enjoy the smell, and plant it next to a path or doorway where you can brush it with your body or hand as you walk past.