Description
‘All Gold’ lemon balm (also known as ‘Gold Leaf’) grows in slowly expanding clumps of bright yellow, lemon-scented and -flavored foliage. The leaves hold their color through the growing season but are especially vibrant in spring and early summer. The plants also produce tiny white flowers in summer.
Like the species form of this delightfully fragrant herb, golden lemon balm can self-sow, so you may choose to cut the plants to the ground before or soon after the flowers open to prevent re-seeding and to get a flush of fresh, colorful foliage too. Or, let the plants bloom—your bees will be thrilled!—and transplant or share the volunteers. I have not found any solid-green seedlings from this plant, but if you do spot them, you may want to remove them so they don’t crowd out the yellow-leaved plants.
Morning sun and afternoon shade, or light all-day shade, is usually best. In the cooler parts of its range, golden lemon balm can take full sun too, especially if the soil is on the moist side. Perennial; Zones 3 to 9.
Collected in early September 2023. At least 15 seeds. Shipping to US addresses only.
Please read the germination information as well before ordering.
Kimberly B. (verified owner) –
I’m not sure if these came up or not. If they did, they were promptly eaten by gophers or bugs. The ones I started indoors didn’t germinate at all, not sure what I did wrong as I’ve grown lemon balm before without trouble, but who knows? Will try again next spring in larger pots and see what happens.
Hi Kimberly. I sent you a refund for the seeds. It would be helpful to know if you tried giving the indoor-sown seeds an artificial chilling period when they didn’t sprout, as recommended in the germination information. [Edit: So glad we were able to connect, Kimberly. Sounds like the chilling period might have helped with the seeds, particularly in your climate. I’m going to tweak the germination advice to more strongly encourage fall-to-winter sowing. Thanks!]
-Nan