Melissa officinalis

Useful culinary and medicinal herb and beneficial insect attractor!

This common herb is used medicinally for liver and digestive health and enjoyed as a calming tea. It is delicious hot or cold, and combines well with mint and other herbs. It has a lemony, citronella-y flavor. Inconspicuous white flowers are full of nectar and attract honey bees, hence the botanical name Melissa, which is Greek for "honeybee." It is a perennial and can spread by roots as well as seeds, and can become a bit aggressive in more temperate gardens where roots will overwinter. Can grow in sun or shade.

Seeds grown by Twisp River Seed in Twisp, WA.

300 seeds.

Directions: Plant seeds outside in early spring. Needs light to germinate so gently press seeds into soil without covering. If planting in later spring, seeds benefit from 1 week of cold stratification prior to planting.