Orange Balm – Fragrant Herbal Tea

£6.75

Orange Balm is an orange-scented form of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), with soft green leaves that release a sweet, citrusy orange fragrance at the lightest touch. Supplied as a healthy plant in a 9cm pot, it is easy to grow in borders or pots and makes a wonderfully fruity herbal tea.

Product Highlights

✔ Sweet orange fragrance with a hint of lemon
✔ Makes a fruity, caffeine-free herbal tea
✔ Lovely in iced drinks, fruit salads and desserts
✔ Hardy perennial that returns every year
✔ Small white summer flowers loved by bees

What You Receive

1 healthy, established Orange Balm plant (Melissa officinalis) in a 9cm pot
Grown and packed with care in the UK

Why You'll Love It

A fresh twist on classic lemon balm
Fills the air with orange scent every time you brush past
So easy to grow, even for complete beginners
Pairs beautifully with mint and lemon verbena in a tea garden

Folklore & Fascinating Facts

Orange Balm belongs to the Melissa family. Melissa is Greek for 'honey bee', and beekeepers once rubbed balm on hives to welcome new swarms.
In the 17th century, Carmelite nuns in Paris made a famous 'Carmelite water' with balm.
Balm has grown in British cottage gardens for centuries, prized for its scent and as a bee plant.

A Gift That Keeps Growing

A fragrant, fruity plant that makes a lovely gift for tea lovers and a delightful addition to any herb collection.

Botanical name: Melissa officinalis (orange-scented)

Common name: Orange Balm, Orange-scented Lemon Balm

Life cycle: Hardy herbaceous perennial

Height: 40–70cm

Spread: Up to 50cm

Position: Full sun or partial shade

Soil: Moist but well-drained

Suitable for containers: Yes

Suitable for beginners: Yes

Pollinator value: Flowers attract bees when allowed to bloom

Planting

Location: Full sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained soil.

Planting time: Spring to early autumn, avoiding frozen or waterlogged ground.

Spacing: About 40cm apart.

Care

Watering: Keep moist while establishing and water pots regularly in summer.

Feeding: A light feed in spring is plenty; too much feeding reduces the fragrance.

Pruning: Cut back by half in early summer for fresh, fragrant new leaves. Remove flowers before they set seed to limit self-seeding.

Harvesting & Storage

Harvesting: Pick leaves regularly from spring to autumn. The scent is strongest just before flowering.

Storage: Use fresh for the best flavour, or dry quickly somewhere airy and store in an airtight jar.

UK Growing Conditions

Fully hardy in the UK. The plant dies back in winter and regrows in spring. Grow in a pot if you want to stop it spreading.

Culinary Uses

Use fresh leaves in herbal tea, iced drinks, cocktails, fruit salads, sorbets and desserts.

Traditional Herbal Uses

Balm has a long tradition of use in calming evening teas. This information is included for cultural and educational interest; the product is sold as a garden plant and no medical outcome is implied.

Please note: Traditional uses are not medical advice. Seek professional advice before using any herb medicinally.

Wildlife & Garden Benefits

The small white flowers attract bees, and the fragrant leaves make a lovely edging for paths and seating areas.

Plants: Plants are carefully packed and normally dispatched within 2–4 working days. Some plants may be delivered at the most appropriate time for planting or potting on.

Seeds and garden supplies: Seeds and garden supplies are normally dispatched within 2–4 working days.

Seasonal items: Bulbs, bare-root plants, trees and other seasonal products may be dispatched at the appropriate planting time to support successful establishment.