Water
Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top 2-3 cm of soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Reduce watering in winter when the plant is dormant.
Also known as Bastard Balm · Immenblatt · Wood Bastard Balm
Melittis (Melittis melissophyllum) is a fragrant, herbaceous perennial with whorls of attractive, honey-scented white to pink flowers and textured, aromatic leaves.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Partial Shade
50% intensity
Prefers dappled sunlight or partial shade, especially in hotter climates. Protect from intense afternoon sun.
Regularly
50% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging. Reduce in winter.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Average
50% intensity
Prefers average room temperatures between 15-24°C. Can tolerate cooler temperatures in winter.
Light
25% intensity
Feed once in spring with a balanced fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top 2-3 cm of soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Reduce watering in winter when the plant is dormant.
Prune in early spring before new growth begins to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing stems. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming and prevent self-seeding.
Light trimming can maintain a tidy shape if needed.
Propagate by sowing seeds in autumn or spring, or by taking basal cuttings in late spring. Seeds require a period of cold stratification. Cuttings should be rooted in a well-draining seed-starting mix and kept moist.
Repot established plants every 2-3 years in early spring, or when they become root-bound. Use a well-draining loam-based potting mix. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the current one to avoid waterlogged roots.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Melittis (Melittis melissophyllum)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Melittis |
| Species | Melittis melissophyllum |
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data