Variegated Lemon Balm – Fragrant Herbal Tea

£6.75

Variegated Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis 'Aurea') is a decorative form of classic lemon balm, with bright green leaves splashed with gold and the same fresh lemon scent. Supplied as a healthy plant in a 9cm pot, it brings colour and fragrance to borders, pots and herb gardens, and its leaves make a refreshing tea.

Product Highlights

✔ Gold-splashed leaves that brighten borders and pots
✔ The same fresh lemon fragrance as classic lemon balm
✔ Perfect for herbal teas and summer drinks
✔ Hardy perennial that returns every year
✔ Small white summer flowers loved by bees

What You Receive

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

Why You'll Love It

Prettier than plain lemon balm, with all the same fragrance
Releases a burst of lemon every time you brush past
Lights up shady corners where other herbs struggle
Less rampant than green lemon balm, so easier to manage

Folklore & Fascinating Facts

Lemon balm's Latin name, Melissa, is Greek for 'honey bee'. Beekeepers once rubbed it on hives to welcome new swarms.
In the 17th century, Carmelite nuns in Paris made a famous 'Carmelite water' with lemon balm.
Lemon balm has been grown in British gardens since at least the medieval period, prized for its scent and as a bee plant.

A Gift That Keeps Growing

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

Botanical name: Melissa officinalis 'Aurea'

Common name: Variegated Lemon Balm, Golden Lemon Balm

Life cycle: Hardy herbaceous perennial

Height: 30–60cm

Spread: Up to 45cm

Position: Partial shade; morning sun

Soil: Moist but well-drained

Suitable for containers: Yes

Suitable for beginners: Yes

Pollinator value: Flowers attract bees when allowed to bloom

Planting

Location: Partial shade is ideal. Morning sun brings out the gold colour, but hot afternoon sun can scorch the variegated leaves.

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

Spacing: About 40cm apart.

Care

Watering: Keep moist but not waterlogged, especially in pots during summer.

Feeding: A light feed in spring is plenty.

Pruning: Cut back hard in early summer to encourage fresh, brightly variegated new leaves. Remove any plain green shoots so the plant does not revert, and cut off flowers before they set seed to limit self-seeding.

Harvesting & Storage

Harvesting: Pick leaves regularly from spring to autumn. The flavour is best 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. The variegation is brightest in spring and may fade to green in midsummer; cutting back brings fresh coloured growth.

Culinary Uses

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

Traditional Herbal Uses

Lemon 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 gold-splashed leaves brighten partly shaded borders and containers.

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.