UK compost
What compost for all gold lemon balm in the UK?
Melissa officinalis 'All Gold'
More about all gold lemon balm in the UK
Which compost all gold lemon balm needs
For all gold lemon balm the mix to buy is peat-free multipurpose compost. Tolerates a wide range of soils but performs best in reasonably drained, moisture-retentive loam. Avoid poorly drained or heavy clay soils that cause crown rot in winter. Amend with compost to improve structure.In British garden centres the bagged growing medium is sold simply as “compost” (multipurpose, ericaceous, or loam-based John Innes), which is a different thing from the rotted garden “compost” you make in a heap — for a pot you want the bagged kind.
Peat-free compost
Buy peat-free. The sale of peat compost to home gardeners is being phased out across the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free on environmental grounds. A good peat-free multipurpose grows all gold lemon balm perfectly well; the one habit to change is watering — peat-free dries faster at the surface while still moist below, so check by feel a knuckle deep rather than trusting the look of the top.
Ericaceous or multipurpose?
All Gold Lemon Balm is straightforward: an ordinary peat-free multipurpose compost is right. For a big specimen or a pot it will live in for years, mixing in some loam-based John Innes No.2 or No.3 adds weight and holds nutrients longer. Ericaceous compost is not needed unless a plant is specifically a lime-hater.
For the full recipe, pH and drainage detail (US wording), see the all gold lemon balm soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for All Gold Lemon Balm in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for all gold lemon balm in the UK?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost. Tolerates a wide range of soils but performs best in reasonably drained, moisture-retentive loam. Avoid poorly drained or heavy clay soils that cause crown rot in winter. Amend with compost to improve structure. In UK garden centres this is sold simply as "compost" — the bagged growing medium, not garden-made leaf-mould — so match the description above rather than a brand.
Can I use ordinary multipurpose compost for all gold lemon balm?
Yes. A good peat-free multipurpose compost is exactly right for all gold lemon balm. For a large or long-term pot you can mix in some John Innes No.2 or No.3 (loam-based) for extra weight and staying power.
Should the compost be peat-free?
Yes. Sales of peat compost to home gardeners are being phased out in the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free for environmental reasons. Modern peat-free multipurpose composts grow all gold lemon balm perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does all gold lemon balm need grit or perlite added?
Not essential, but a couple of handfuls of perlite in the mix improves aeration and guards against overwatering — useful on a cool, damp British windowsill where compost stays wet longer.
What pot and drainage does all gold lemon balm need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Moderately fertile, well-drained loam, pH 6.0–7.5. Stand it on a saucer, empty any water that collects after watering, and never leave the pot sitting in a full outer cover — waterlogged compost in a cool UK room is the commonest cause of root rot.
More all gold lemon balm care
See the full all gold lemon balm care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.