How to Germinate Bee Balm Seeds

Fragrant bee balm attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, adding color and movement to the garden. This perennial herb produces feathery blooms atop a slender stalk in early to mid-summer. Colors range from brilliant reds to shades of pink, violet and blue. Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, bee balm, once established, spreads by underground rhizomes and produces a bigger clump each year. Staring bee balm from seed in early spring provides you with healthy young plants ready for planting in the garden.

Peat pots
Seed starter

Instructions

- 1
  Stratify bee balm seeds by exposing them to cold temperatures for several weeks before planting. Placing them in a plastic bag and storing them in the refrigerator for two to three weeks improves the germination rate of bee balm.
- 2
  Fill individual pots to within 1/2 inch of the rim with moist seed starter.
- 3
  Sow the bee balm seeds two to three times the depth of the seed. Cover with soil and firm down with your hands to secure the seeds and remove air pockets.
- 4
  Cover the pots with clear plastic wrap to prevent the soil from drying. Place pots in an area that receives bright indirect light.
- 5
  Keep the seed starter evenly moist until seedlings emerge in 14 to 21 days, depending on the variety and the soil conditions. If the soil shows signs of excessive moisture or mold, remove the plastic wrap to allow the soil to dry slightly.
- 6
  Remove the plastic wrap when seedlings emerge. Gradually move the seedlings to direct sunlight.

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