How to prune lemon balm

Midsummer before or at first flowering; again in early autumn. Use clean scissors or shears to cut all stems back by one-half to two-thirds. In autumn, cut to within 5 cm of the ground. Remove any flowering stems promptly to limit self-seeding.

2–3 times per season. Lemon balm grows vigorously and benefits from regular pruning. Cut plants back by half in midsummer when they begin to flower, which triggers a flush of fragrant new foliage. In autumn, cut to a few centimetres above soil level. This prevents self-seeding, which can become invasive, and keeps the plant productive year after year.

Use clean scissors or shears to cut all stems back by one-half to two-thirds. In autumn, cut to within 5 cm of the ground. Remove any flowering stems promptly to limit self-seeding.