Orange Balm Plant – Fragrant Herbal Tea

Orange Balm Plant – Fragrant Herbal Tea

Large - 9cm Pot
£7.75
£7.75
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Orange Balm Plant – Fragrant Herbal Tea
  • Orange Balm Plant – Fragrant Herbal Tea
  • Orange Balm Plant – Fragrant Herbal Tea
  • Orange Balm Plant – Fragrant Herbal Tea
  • Lemon Balm – For Calming Teas & Stress Relief. - The Healing Herb Garden
Orange Balm Plant – Fragrant Herbal Tea

Orange Balm Plant – Fragrant Herbal Tea

£7.75
£7.75
SizeLarge - 9cm Pot
Elevate Your Garden with the Sweet Scent of Rare Orange Balm
Imagine stepping into your garden, brushing past a lush green border, and being greeted by the sweet, comforting scent of fresh mandarin orange. Orange Balm is the rare, fruit-scented sibling of traditional lemon balm. It delivers a completely unique marmalade-like twist that will transform both your outdoor space and your morning teacup. 
Whether you want to brew the ultimate calming tea, spice up your summer cocktails, or enjoy a fragrant, low-maintenance garden accent, this hardy perennial is one of the most rewarding herbs you can grow.
Why You’ll Love It:
  • The Ultimate Relaxation Tea: Skip the store-bought blends. Harvest the fuzzy, fragrant leaves all season long to steep into a delicious, naturally calming tea with a smooth mandarin orange flavour. 
  • Intoxicating Citrus Scent: Simply touch the leaves to release an alluring, sweet citrus burst that fills the air and elevates your kitchen culinary creations. 
  • Fruity Twist for Food & Drinks: Bring a fresh, zesty spark to your lifestyle. Use the fresh leaves to flavor summer cocktails, garnishes, fruit salads, desserts, or fish dishes. 
  • Perfect "Spiller" Habit: Growing to a compact 30–35cm, it features a beautiful, slightly cascading habit. It acts as a stunning accent spilling over the edges of hanging baskets, patio containers, or garden paths. 
  • Plant Once, Enjoy Forever: This ultra-resilient, hardy perennial effortlessly survives tough winters to return bigger, greener, and more fragrant every single spring. 
  • A Magnet for Pollinators: Its summer white blossoms are packed with rich nectar. True to its name (Melissa is Greek for honeybee), it will make your garden the neighbourhood's favorite stop for bees and butterflies. 
Premium UK-Grown Quality — Ready to Establish
No waiting around for unpredictable seeds to sprout. You will receive a healthy, beautifully nurtured UK-grown plug plant with a strong, established root system, ready to thrive immediately in your beds, borders, or pots. 
Bring a rare citrus twist and homegrown fragrance to your doorstep. Tap below to order your ready-to-grow Orange Balm plant today!
Plant Information

Botanical name: Melissa officinalis

Common name: Lemon Balm

Usually available: Spring–Autumn, subject to seasonal growth

Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial or seasonal herb, depending on variety

Height: Varies by variety

Spread: Varies by variety

Position: Full sun or partial shade

Soil: Moist but well-drained soil

Suitable for containers: Suitable for a generously sized container where practical.

Suitable for beginners: Yes, when its preferred growing conditions are provided

Pollinator value: Flowers may support bees and other beneficial insects when allowed to bloom
Growing Guide

Follow this simple, step-by-step care framework to ensure your Orange Balm plug plant (Melissa officinalis 'Mandarina') establishes quickly and thrives for years to come.

  • Light Requirements: Plant in full sun to light partial shade. While it tolerates a bit of shade, a sunnier spot maximizes the essential oils in the leaves, giving you a much stronger mandarin orange fragrance.

  • Soil & Potting: Thrives best in well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a neutral pH. If planting in patio pots, window boxes, or hanging baskets, ensure you use a container with working drainage holes to prevent soggy roots.

  • Plant Spacing: Space multiple plants approximately 30cm to 40cm apart to give their slightly cascading, bushy habit plenty of room to expand.

  • Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged while the plug plant establishes. Once mature, it is highly self-sufficient but will require regular watering during hot, dry summer spells.

  • Pruning & Maintenance: Trim the plant back firmly after its summer white blossoms fade. This simple step prevents the herb from self-seeding around your garden borders and instantly rewards you with a fresh flush of lush, aromatic foliage. Do not prune after September to protect the plant from early winter frosts.

  • How to Harvest: Snip young stems and leaves in the morning when the citrus oils are at their absolute peak. Regular harvesting actively encourages the plant to branch out into a much bushier, more productive shape.
Uses and Benefits

Traditional Herbal Uses

  • Natural Calm & Anxiety Relief: Orange Balm (Melissa officinalis 'Mandarina') shares the same deeply soothing properties as traditional lemon balm. It is widely used to naturally calm the nervous system, lower stress levels, and ease everyday anxiety.
  • Gentle Digestive Support: Steeping the fresh leaves into a warm, caffeine-free herbal tea helps soothe upset stomachs, reduce bloating, and support comfortable digestion after meals.
  • Restful Sleep Aid: A comforting cup of home-brewed orange balm tea taken shortly before bedtime serves as an excellent, time-tested natural remedy for insomnia and restlessness.

Wildlife & Garden Benefits

  • A Haven for Essential Pollinators: The nectar-rich white blooms produced throughout the summer are a premium food source for beneficial insects. True to its genus name (Melissa—the Greek word for honeybee), it will actively attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies to your garden.
  • Natural Mosquito & Pest Deterrent: The intense mandarin citrus scent acts as a highly effective, natural repellent. Plant it near your outdoor seating areas or patio furniture to keep pesky bugs away while you relax outdoors.
  • Excellent Companion Plant: The fragrant essential oils emitted by the foliage help mask the scent of nearby vegetable crops. This confuses common pests and makes orange balm an invaluable companion plant for organic gardeners.
When will I get my order?

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.
FAQs

What is Orange Balm?Orange Balm (Melissa officinalis 'Mandarina') is a rare, fruit-scented perennial herb from the mint family. While closely related to traditional lemon balm, its fuzzy green leaves release a distinct, sweet mandarin orange and marmalade fragrance when crushed or brushed against.

How do you use Orange Balm?Orange balm is highly versatile and popular for both culinary and lifestyle uses:

  • Herbal Tea: Steep a small handful of fresh or dried leaves in hot water to make a naturally calming, citrus-infused infusion.
  • Culinary Dishes: Add freshly picked, finely chopped leaves to elevate summer cocktails, fresh fruit salads, poultry garnishes, and baked goods.
  • Natural Repellent: Crushing the aromatic leaves and rubbing them lightly over skin acts as a natural deterrent for mosquitoes.

What are the health benefits of Orange Balm?Because it shares the exact same botanical species as traditional lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), orange balm retains excellent natural wellness benefits. It is traditionally used to soothe the nervous system, reduce everyday stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and aid gentle digestion.

Does Orange Balm spread like mint?While orange balm belongs to the mint family, it is far less aggressive and easier to control than standard mint. To keep your plant neat and prevent it from spreading via seeds, simply cut the plant back after its summer flowering period. This also rewards you by triggering a fresh, vibrant flush of new aromatic foliage.

How do you care for Orange Balm?Orange balm is incredibly robust and low-maintenance:

  • Position: Plant your plug in full sun or light partial shade.
  • Soil: It thrives best in well-drained, moderately fertile soil.
  • Potting: Thanks to its beautiful, slightly cascading "spiller" habit, it is an ideal choice for hanging baskets, patio containers, and window boxes.
  • Winter Hardiness: It is fully hardy in the UK, dying back in late autumn and returning reliably every spring.

Companions and Alternatives

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