Troubleshooting
All Gold Lemon Balm problems — and how to fix them
All Gold Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis 'All Gold') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Colour bleaching in full sun
Prolonged direct sun causes the gold foliage to bleach pale cream or develop brown scorch patches. Move to a spot with afternoon shade, or provide a shade cloth during peak summer.
Reversion to green
Strong-growing all-green shoots may arise, especially after hard pruning or in fertile soil. Remove reverted growth at the base immediately to preserve the 'All Gold' appearance.
Powdery mildew
Low airflow and dry soil conditions in late summer promote powdery mildew. Cut plants back by half after flowering and improve spacing. Avoid wetting foliage when watering.
Prevent all gold lemon balm problems before they start
Most all gold lemon balm issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
All Gold Lemon Balm problems — FAQ
Why is my all gold lemon balm colour bleaching in full sun?
Prolonged direct sun causes the gold foliage to bleach pale cream or develop brown scorch patches. Move to a spot with afternoon shade, or provide a shade cloth during peak summer.
Why is my all gold lemon balm reversion to green?
Strong-growing all-green shoots may arise, especially after hard pruning or in fertile soil. Remove reverted growth at the base immediately to preserve the 'All Gold' appearance.
Why is my all gold lemon balm powdery mildew?
Low airflow and dry soil conditions in late summer promote powdery mildew. Cut plants back by half after flowering and improve spacing. Avoid wetting foliage when watering.