Plant Details

Monarda didyma

Bergamot

Back

Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Monarda didyma.

Use this plant

Log in to add this plant to your recipes.

Log in

Common names

26 names · 20 languages
EnglishYour language
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Other languages (19)
Dutch
  • Gewone bergamotplant
French
  • Monarde didyme
  • monarde écarlate[2]
Cherokee
  • ᏩᎴᎷ ᎤᏂᏣᎩᏍᏗ[2]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 美国薄荷[2]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 美國薄荷[2]
Czech
  • zavinutka podvojná[2]
Danish
  • hestemynte[2]
Estonian
  • aedmonarda[2]
Finnish
  • punaväriminttu[2]
German
  • Goldmelisse[2]
  • Indianernessel[2]
  • Scharlach-Monarde[2]
Italian
  • Bergamotto[2]
Japanese
  • タイマツバナ[2]
Norwegian
  • hestemynte[2]
Ojibwe
  • Aamoogaawanzh[2]
Polish
  • Pysznogłówka szkarłatna[2]
Russian
  • Монарда двойчатая[2]
Slovak
  • monarda podvojná[2]
Swedish
  • röd temynta[2]
Turkish
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 didyma L. ↗

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

Source records
  • Oswego Tea (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 159560; taxon 4428D.
  • Scarlet beebalm — VernacularName.tsv, line 159561; taxon 4428D.
[2] Monarda didyma — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Source records
  • Scarlet Beebalm — results[0].names[0]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • oswego tea — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Bergamotto — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • hestemynte — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • punaväriminttu — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • zavinutka podvojná — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Aamoogaawanzh — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • タイマツバナ — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • aedmonarda — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Монарда двойчатая — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • 美国薄荷 — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • 美國薄荷 — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • röd temynta — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Mixed Monarda — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • monarde écarlate — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • monardo — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Pysznogłówka szkarłatna — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • ᏩᎴᎷ ᎤᏂᏣᎩᏍᏗ — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • hestemynte — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Indianernessel — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Goldmelisse — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Scharlach-Monarde — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • monarda podvojná — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.

General information

Scientific name: Monarda didyma
Accepted name (Kew): Monarda didyma L. 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: Bergamot
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.61–1.22 m

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

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.61–0.91 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: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Clumping

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

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Wet

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, High Organic Matter
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Flowers, Condiment, Tea
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Companion plant, Essential oil, Bee forage, Fragrant

Description

Leaves and young shoots can be consumed both raw and cooked, and are often used as a seasoning in salads, fruit salads, and beverages. Flowers can also be eaten raw and are often used as a decoration for salads. Additionally, a delicious herbal tea can be made from fresh or dried leaves and flower buds. The leaves can even add an Earl Grey flavor to Chinese tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/06
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 110368; name ID 129178; Monarda didyma L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

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

    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 687018, ID 4428D: Monarda didyma L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Monarda didyma — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .