Plant Details

Monarda citriodora

Lemon Bergamot, Lemon beebalm. Lemon Mint

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Common names

23 names · 13 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Lemon Bee Balm[2]
  • Lemon beebalm[1][2]
  • Lemon beebalm. Lemon Mint
+2 more namesShow fewer names
  • Lemon Bergamot
  • purple horsemint[2]
Other languages (12)
Dutch
  • Citroenbergamot
French
  • Monarde citron[2]
  • Monarde citronnée
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 柠檬马薄荷[2]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 檸檬馬薄荷[2]
Czech
  • zavinutka citronová[2]
Finnish
  • sitruunaväriminttu[2]
German
  • Duftende Indianernessel[2]
  • Indianerminze[2]
  • Präriebergamotte[2]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
  • Präriegoldmelisse[2]
  • Zitronen-Monarde[2]
  • Zitronengoldmelisse[2]
Russian
  • Монарда лимонная[2]
Slovak
  • monarda citrónová[2]
Spanish
Swedish
  • citrontemynta[2]
Ukrainian
  • Монарда цитрусозапашна[2]
Sources & name notes (2)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag. ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Lemon beebalm — VernacularName.tsv, line 159557; taxon 44283.
[2] Monarda citriodora — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • lemon beebalm — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • purple horsemint — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • orégano — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • Lemon Bee Balm — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • Монарда лимонная — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • 檸檬馬薄荷 — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • 柠檬马薄荷 — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • citrontemynta — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • sitruunaväriminttu — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • Monarde citron — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • zavinutka citronová — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • Zitronen-Monarde — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • Duftende Indianernessel — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • Indianerminze — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • Präriebergamotte — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • Präriegoldmelisse — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • Zitronengoldmelisse — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • monarda citrónová — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.
  • Монарда цитрусозапашна — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 122587; Monarda citriodora.

General information

Scientific name: Monarda citriodora
Accepted name (Kew): Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Lamiaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Monarda (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Lemon Bergamot, Lemon beebalm. Lemon Mint
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.3–0.91 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.2–0.3 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: None
Growth habit: Clumping, Erect

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Annual, Biennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-9
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky
Sources [3]
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Tea
Edibility rating:
(2)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
Essential oil, Bee forage, Fragrant

Description

Leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked and serve as a flavor enhancer in salads and hot dishes, and they can also be used for making tea. They have a delicious lemon flavor.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/07
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1056521; name ID 129148; Monarda L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1056525; name ID 129163; Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Monarda citriodora

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 687009, ID 44283: Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Monarda citriodora — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil texture
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture

    Source checked on .