How can I get rid of or control a Lemon Balm Plant?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is closely related to mint, and grows like mint – sending out runners and often over-powering everything around it. I have lots of lemon balm and it is one of my favorite herbs. The only way to control an already-sprawling bed is to start pulling and digging runners. This is easiest to do when the plant is dormant, usually late fall or early spring. Fortunately, the roots aren’t very deep, and it usually comes up pretty easily – but any little piece left behind will regrow and start all over again. Lemon balm is considered somewhat invasive and it is not recommended planting it without a root barrier to keep it from spreading. I’d recommend digging and hand-pulling whatever you want to tame, and installing some type of root barrier to control the rest. I’ve used the plastic edging type, buried down about 6-7″, and this has worked just fine to contain beds in the past. Some people also opt to grow it in buried pots or container gardens only. The beds tha
