Shaggy, brilliant blooms in lavender-purple on tall, aromatic stems. Bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) is a Minnesota native that hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies absolutely can't resist.
🌤️
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade
💧
Water
Moderate, even moisture
🌼
Type
Perennial (zones 3–9)
🪴
Soil
Moist, well-drained
Growing Basics
Bee balm is a perennial in Minnesota (zones 3–9) and a true native plant — it's been growing on the prairies and woodland edges here for centuries.
Bloom time: Midsummer (July–August in Minnesota). Seed-grown plants typically bloom in their second year.
Sunlight: Full sun to part shade. Full sun produces the best blooms; some afternoon shade helps in very hot summers and reduces powdery mildew.
Soil: Moist, well-drained soil. Adapts to a range of soil types. Consistent moisture is more important than soil richness.
Transplanting: Plant in spring after the last frost. Plant at the same depth as in the pot and space 18–24" apart for good airflow.
Watering: Regular watering, especially during establishment. Bee balm prefers consistent moisture but will tolerate short dry spells once established.
Fertilization: A light application of balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
Perennial Notes
These plants were grown from seed this year. Expect mostly foliage growth in year one; blooms come in year two.
Bee balm spreads by underground rhizomes and can expand into large colonies over time. Divide every 2–3 years in spring to keep it in bounds and prevent the center from dying out.
Powdery mildew (white coating on leaves) is common in humid summers, especially when plants are crowded. Good spacing and airflow are the best prevention. It's mostly cosmetic after blooming.
The leaves smell like oregano and can be used to make a pleasant herbal tea.
One of the top hummingbird plants you can grow in Minnesota — they visit repeatedly throughout the day.
