What hardiness zones is Monarda didyma suitable for?

Monarda didyma is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Monarda didyma?

Monarda didyma requires Full Sun.

How much water does Monarda didyma need?

Monarda didyma has Medium water needs.

1 / 4

Herbs

Monarda didyma

Bee Balm

LamiaceaeEastern North America

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height24-48 inches (60-120 cm)

Width18-36 inches (45-90 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Attracts Hummingbirds

Deer Resistant

Fragrant (strong)

Native to North America

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

An upright, spreading native perennial in the family Lamiaceae, native to moist, rich woodlands, stream banks, and clearings of eastern North America. Plants spread by shallow rhizomes to form colonies of square stems 24–48 inches (60–120 cm) tall bearing opposite pairs of lance-shaped to ovate, sharply toothed, aromatic leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long. When crushed, the leaves release a strong, pleasant oregano-bergamot fragrance. In midsummer, each stem is topped with a dense, rounded flower head 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) across composed of numerous long, tubular, two-lipped florets in vivid scarlet-red in the species; cultivars extend the color range to pink, lavender, purple, and white. Red-flowered plants are the most attractive to ruby-throated hummingbirds. The primary horticultural challenge with M. didyma is powdery mildew, a fungal disease that disfigures foliage from midsummer onward; modern mildew-resistant cultivars ('Jacob Cline', 'Raspberry Wine', 'Fireball', and the 'Bee-You' series) are strongly preferred over older types. All parts edible; traditional use as a tea (Oswego tea) by the Oswego people.

Native Range

Native to eastern North America from Ontario and Quebec south to Georgia and west to Michigan, growing in moist, rich woodlands, stream banks, moist meadows, and thicket edges in partial shade to full sun.

Suggested Uses

Planted in native perennial gardens, cottage gardens, pollinator borders, and rain gardens at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. An essential hummingbird plant in eastern North American gardens. Best combined with other moisture-tolerant perennials: Lobelia cardinalis, Phlox paniculata, Echinacea, and native grasses. Leaves used fresh or dried in herbal teas (Oswego tea). Select mildew-resistant cultivars ('Jacob Cline', 'Raspberry Wine') for all applications.

How to Identify

Identified by square stems bearing pairs of lance-shaped, sharply toothed, strongly aromatic leaves, topped by distinctive rounded flower heads of long, narrow, tubular florets in scarlet-red, pink, lavender, or white, with a bristly, often reddish bract collar beneath. The strong oregano-bergamot fragrance of crushed leaves, square stems, and shaggy, rounded flower heads are together diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 4'

Width/Spread1'6" - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

pink

lavender

purple

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Blooms July through August in zones 4–9, with individual stems flowering for 3–5 weeks. Deadheading spent flower heads can stimulate secondary bloom in late summer. Where powdery mildew is a problem, foliage becomes unsightly from August onward — this is the primary reason to select mildew-resistant cultivars for Pacific Northwest and humid climates.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

scarlet-red (species); cultivars in pink, lavender, purple, and white

Foliage Description

medium green, lance-shaped to ovate, toothed, strongly aromatic when crushed

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclay

Drainage

moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in consistently moist, fertile, well-drained to moist soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Good air circulation significantly reduces powdery mildew incidence — avoid crowded plantings and overhead irrigation. Space plants at 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) for adequate airflow. Divide every 2–3 years in early spring, discarding old woody center sections and replanting vigorous outer divisions — division also controls spread. Cut back by half in early June to encourage branching and reduce height in tall cultivars. Do not let soil dry out during the growing season.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower heads promptly to stimulate secondary bloom and tidy appearance. Cut back by half in early June (Chelsea Chop) to produce bushier, shorter plants and delay bloom by 2–3 weeks in some cultivars. Cut all stems to ground level in fall after frost. Divide every 2–3 years in early spring: lift the clump, discard the old central mass, and replant vigorous outer divisions 18 inches (45 cm) apart.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummerfallearly spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

transplant

Indoor Start

8 weeks before last frost

Days to Maturity

90–120 days

Plant Spacing

18 inches