Pollinator plant

Bergamot

Monarda didyma

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Common names

19 names

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

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

English
Dutch
  • Gewone bergamotplant
  • Monarda
French
  • Monarde didyme
  • monarde écarlate[3]
German
  • Goldmelisse[3]
  • Indianernessel[3]
  • Scharlach-Monarde[3]
Italian
  • Bergamotto[3]

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

[1] Monarda didyma — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Bergamot — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Monarda didyma.
  • Bee Balm — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Monarda didyma.
  • Bee-balm — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Monarda didyma.
  • Beebalm — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Monarda didyma.
  • Bergamont — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Monarda didyma.
  • Crimson Bee-balm — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Monarda didyma.
  • Horsemint — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(7); heading: Common Name(s):; Monarda didyma.
  • Oswego Tea — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(8); heading: Common Name(s):; Monarda didyma.
  • Scarlet Bee Balm — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(9); heading: Common Name(s):; Monarda didyma.
[2] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • bergamot — Page 4, column 2, row top 97 pt; common-name cell after Monarda didyma.; Monarda didyma.
[3] Monarda didyma — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Scarlet Beebalm — results[0].names[0]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Goldmelisse — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Indianernessel — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Scharlach-Monarde — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Mixed Monarda — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • oswego tea — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • monarde écarlate — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
  • Bergamotto — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 52735; Monarda didyma.
[4] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Monarda didyma ↗

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

Source records
  • Scarlet beebalm — VernacularName.tsv, line 159561; taxon 4428D.
  • Oswego Tea (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 159560; taxon 4428D.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Monarda didyma is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Lamiaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.61–1.22 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.61–0.91 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Clumping

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Wet

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Autumn; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Eastern North America

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, pollinators, specialized bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Monarda didyma in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Unknown
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous
Size
Small
Dimensions
0.90 m high × 0.50 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-10
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Flowers, Seasoning, Tea
Functions
Companion planting, Essential oil, Pollinator plant, Fragrant
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
2 out of 5

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.

Sources and references

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

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Monarda didyma — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 687018; ID 4428D; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 687018; ID 4428D; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Monarda didyma — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 4, column 2, entry Monarda didyma (top 97 pt)

    Source checked on .