How to prune lemon bee balm

Pinch tips in early growth; deadhead during flowering in midsummer. When plants reach 15–20 cm tall, pinch out the top 2–3 cm of each stem to promote branching. Once flowering begins, remove spent flower whorls to delay seed set. After main flush, cut back by one-third to encourage fresh growth.

Pinch once or twice early in the season; deadhead regularly during flowering. Lemon bee balm (Monarda citriodora) is an annual or short-lived perennial herb. Pinch growing tips early to encourage bushy growth and delay flowering. Once it begins to flower, you can deadhead to extend the season, but the plant naturally goes to seed. Cutting back after first flowering may promote a partial second flush before the plant sets seed and dies.

When plants reach 15–20 cm tall, pinch out the top 2–3 cm of each stem to promote branching. Once flowering begins, remove spent flower whorls to delay seed set. After main flush, cut back by one-third to encourage fresh growth.