Overwintering guide
How to overwinter golden lemon balm
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills golden lemon balm in winter
Cutting golden lemon balm hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More golden lemon balm care
- Overwintering lemon balm — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering golden lemon balm — our other guide for the same plant
- Full golden lemon balm care guide
- Golden Lemon Balm temperature range
- How often to water golden lemon balm
- How to prune golden lemon balm
- Common golden lemon balm problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering golden lemon balm — FAQ
Does golden lemon balm need to come indoors for winter?
Golden Lemon Balm is hardy to roughly USDA zone 3 — winter lows around -40°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Golden Lemon Balm is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move golden lemon balm for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water golden lemon balm in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills golden lemon balm over winter?
Cutting golden lemon balm hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.