Plant Details

Monarda fistulosa

Wild Bergamot, Mintleaf bergamot, Wild Bee-Balm, Lupine

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Common names

24 names · 18 languages
EnglishYour language
  • bee balm[2]
  • Lupine
  • Mintleaf bergamot
+2 more namesShow fewer names
  • Wild Bee-Balm
  • Wild Bergamot[1][2]
Other languages (17)
Dutch
  • Wilde bergamotplant
French
  • Monarde fistuleuse[2]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 拟美国薄荷[2]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 擬美國薄荷[2]
Czech
  • Zavinutka trubkovitá[2]
Danish
  • Vild hestemynte[2]
Finnish
  • preeriaväriminttu[2]
German
  • Wilde Bergamotte[2]
  • Wilde Indianernessel[2]
  • Wilde Monarde[2]
Japanese
  • ヤグルマハッカ[2]
Ojibwe
  • Aamoogaawanzh (weca'wûs wackwî'nek)[2]
Polish
  • pysznogłówka dęta[2]
Russian
  • Монарда дудчатая[2]
Slovak
  • monarda píšťalovitá[2]
Spanish
  • Monarda morada[2]
Swedish
  • lila temynta[2]
Thai
  • เบอร์กามอตป่า[2]
Ukrainian
  • Монарда трубчаста[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 fistulosa L. ↗

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

Source records
  • Wild bergamot (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 159562; taxon 4428K.
[2] Monarda fistulosa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Source records
  • wild bergamot — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • bee balm — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • Monarda morada — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • Монарда дудчатая — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • Aamoogaawanzh (weca'wûs wackwî'nek) — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • ヤグルマハッカ — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • 擬美國薄荷 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • 拟美国薄荷 — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • lila temynta — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • Vild hestemynte — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • monarde fistuleuse — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • preeriaväriminttu — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • เบอร์กามอตป่า — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • Zavinutka trubkovitá — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • Wilde Bergamotte — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • Wilde Indianernessel — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • Wilde Monarde — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • pysznogłówka dęta — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • monarda píšťalovitá — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.
  • Монарда трубчаста — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 85320; Monarda fistulosa.

General information

Scientific name: Monarda fistulosa
Accepted name (Kew): Monarda fistulosa 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: Wild Bergamot, Mintleaf bergamot, Wild Bee-Balm, Lupine
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
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: 3a, 3b, 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 Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Shallow Rocky
Sources [3]
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Flowers, Condiment, Tea
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
None

Description

Leaves - raw or cooked. The above-ground parts of the plant can be used as an herb, even though they are quite aromatic. They are often used to flavor salads and warm dishes. The flowers can be used as a decorative, edible addition to salads. Furthermore, the fresh or dried leaves can be used to make a refreshing, aromatic tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/07
Harvest ends: 15/09

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 110376; name ID 129185; Monarda fistulosa L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

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

    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 687023, ID 4428K: Monarda fistulosa L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Monarda fistulosa — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureUSDA 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.
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .