How to protect them from the cold

We recommend pruning before winter

In late autumn, the lemon balm begins to pull in its aboveground plant parts. This process manifests itself in wilting leaves and flowers. The underground rhizome does not depend on the foliage for winter protection, so that one is closer to the ground Cut back is possible without any problems. This measure contributes to the well-kept appearance of the garden. In addition, you create the conditions for unhindered budding in the next year.

This prevents the root ball from freezing through in the pot

While the rhizome in the ground is well protected from freezing temperatures, this advantage does not apply to lemon balm in the tub. To prevent the root ball from freezing through and dying off during the winter, the following precautions are advisable:

• Place lemon balm in the pot in front of the south wall of the house during winter
• place the planter on insulating wood or styrofoam sheets
• Wrap with bubble wrap or thick fleece
• cover the substrate with straw, leaves, brushwood or sawdust

If frost-free winter quarters are available, lemon balm is happy to use it. It can be dark here because budding is undesirable during the cold season. Should some shoots develop anyway, they are cut off in spring.

Tips & Tricks

Lemon balm is much more threatened by drought stress in winter than in summer. If the cold season is characterized by deep frost, lots of sunshine and little snow, meteorologists speak of clear frost. Experienced hobby gardeners go out with a on frost-free days filled watering canto pour the lemon balm in the pot and bed.