How to Control Aggressive Tea Herbs

Planting herbs that make good tea is among the easiest tasks, including Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile), Lemon Verbena, Licorice Mint and Lavender as well as Common Thyme – but be wary of aggressive spreaders like Mints or Bee Balm which may quickly take over!

Spotted beebalm, native to eastern United States and popular among pollinators such as bees, is an easy perennial herb to cultivate from seed in full sun areas with dry soil for best results. Growing this perennial is simple with minimal care required and will produce great results!

Plant in Containers

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is an evergreen perennial plant, growing both in traditional garden beds and containers. To ensure success in both cases, use rich yet well-draining soil such as Miracle-Gro Performance Organics All Purpose In-Ground Soil or All-Purpose Container Soil enhanced with compost – both promote good root development while helping curb its invasive nature.

The herb prefers full sunlight and consistent, yet moderate, watering needs, although some shade can be tolerated. Drought-resistant varieties also can tolerate occasional neglect. Its leaves and flowers make an excellent herbal tea or cooking ingredient. These easy-care perennial plants are easy to cultivate from seeds or seedlings and should be divided every two to three years to prevent overgrowth.

Bee balm attracts honey bees and other pollinators, and can even be used to lure hummingbirds. Blooming throughout summer, bee balm often sets seed that produce new plants; however, due to powdery mildew it should be maintained with constant air circulation around its plants to limit disease outbreak.

Dig Up the Plant

Tea herbs can become rapidly spreaders if left unchecked. Thankfully, most require minimal upkeep once established – regular watering to avoid overwatering but ensuring soil drains properly is vital in order to prevent this situation from recurring.

Mint adds its minty fragrance and flavor to beverages, desserts, cocktails and beverages and is beloved by bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Lemon balm boasts an aromatic citrus taste with an attractive citrus fragrance and refreshing citrusy aroma – it can grow annually but if planted in containers regularly will remain under control by harvesting regularly.

Monarda (bee balm) can quickly take over a garden bed, yet still provide vibrant flowers with an intense lemon fragrance that bees and other pollinators love. This perennial can be propagated either via seeds or seedlings and prefers full to partial sunlight in either garden beds or containers.

Dig the Roots

Herbs harvested for tea are best harvested when they are young and full of flavor, so the optimal time and place to harvest them are in the early morning after dew has dried but before sunrays start heating them up. Avoid harvesting flowers that have genetic signals regulating leaf production as this could dilute essential oil content of your herb harvest.

Lemon Balm lives up to its mint family name by quickly spreading through an underground mat of stems known as stolons. To control its spread, regularly dig and divide out or divide and replant it; or plant in spring or fall with minimal soil coverage (spacing 18-24 inches apart is recommended for best results).

Monarda seeds require stratification, or a period of cold, in order to germinate successfully, so either sow them outside in fall or place them in bags of compost in your fridge for one month or more before sowing or sowing inside in early spring. Though they’re difficult to grow from seed, Monarda plants make worthwhile additions when grown for tea production.

Weed the Plant

Lemon balm is an easy-care herb that thrives in most home gardens. Its leaves, flowers and stems make one of the most beloved herbal teas. Lemon balm has shown antiviral, antihistamine and antioxidant activity as well as mild sedative properties; additionally it may soothe skin conditions while treating insect bites – with an extensive history in traditional medicine use.

As a member of the mint family, lemon balm is easy to grow from seed. Spreading by runners and seed, this plant thrives best in full sun with rich, moist soil that retains moisture; frost resistant as well as drought tolerant, its flavor resembles spearmint or peppermint but features an additional lemony aroma.

Harvesting of lemon balm plants should take place when there are multiple flower buds, then dried for later use. Lemon balm’s soothing effects have been reported to relieve anxiety and stress as well as relieve indigestion symptoms. Its use may induce drowsiness so pregnant women, young children or those taking medications should consult a health care practitioner prior to using lemon balm products.