Growing Bee Balm from Seed Indoors

 

The Bee balm plant is actually a perennial flowering herb in the mint family, growing well in USDA Hardiness zones three to nine. The Bee balm plant tall stalks and colorful flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The Bee balm plants spreads easily on its own. Most growers choose to divide and transplant the plant, but the plant can also be grown from seeds. 

Bee Balm planting area: Actually selecting an optimal garden area for bee balm plants is very vital for the plant’s health. Make sure you choose an area that gets full sun for most of the day. The Bee balm plant actually like soil that has a pH level between 6.0 and 6.7. The Bee balm plants thrive in soil that is well drained. If your soil is actually hard and compacted you can easily add compost, this will improve the drainage. Try and avoid soggy soil as the roots can become waterlogged.

Gathering Bee balm seeds: You can easily buy Bee balm seeds or harvest the Bee balm seeds from your own bee balm plant. Make sure you wait until fall, when the growing season is completed. Instead of deadheading the Bee balm plant, allow the flowers and stalks to dry out and turn brown. Once they are dry, just cover the plant with a bag. Cut the plant ensuring that the entire stalk falls into the bag. Shake the contents of the bag and the Bee balm seeds will fall off. Allow the Bee balm seeds to dry completely and then store in a plastic bag or container.

 

Growing Bee Balm from Seed Indoors

The indoor germination process of the Bee balm seeds should begin in the early spring. A general rule is to actually start eight weeks before that last frost happens. You can start the Bee balm seeds in small pots or seedling trays. Using a rich fertile potting mix, sow four to five Bee balm seeds in a pot or two Bee balm seeds per seedling slot. Don’t cover the Bee balm seeds with a lot of soil. The Bee balm seeds will need light to germinate. If possible, provide direct light above the seedling. Water the Bee balm seedlings daily with a spray bottle. The temperature in the room should not go below fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Once the plant root system forms, the last frost has happened, and the weather is warm, you can easily plant the bee balm outdoors. 

 

Things You May Need to Plant Bee Balm Seeds

The following are the things you will need to plant Bee balm seeds;

Shovel

Spray bottle of water

Direct lighting

Potting soil

Small pots or seedling trays

Compost

Small garden spade