Bergamot (Monarda): Growing from Seed

Growing bergamot – damp humus-rich substrate, sun or partial shade, generous watering

In brief: Bergamot, botanically Monarda didyma (scarlet bee balm), is a perennial herb of the mint family. It is sown from seed in March to April, planted in the bed in May in damp, humus-rich soil in a sunny to partially shaded spot, and from June to September it flowers with deep red to pink heads.

Latin name	Monarda didyma (scarlet bee balm)
Sowing	March–April into a tray, germinates in 14–21 days at 18–22 °C
Planting in the bed	May, spacing 40–50 cm
Position	sun to partial shade, damp humus-rich soil
Watering	generous, especially in drought and during flowering
Height and flowering	70–120 cm, flowers June–September

Bergamot is one of the perennials that attract bees and butterflies to the garden and scent the bed with the lemony-bergamot fragrance of its leaves. Under the trade name bergamot (monarda), what usually hides in seed offers is scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma), a North American herb of the mint family, related to mint and lemon balm.

Even a beginner can manage growing it from seed if they follow a few principles: the tiny seeds need light to germinate, young plants need constant moisture, and mature clumps need to be divided once every few years so that they stay vigorous and are less troubled by powdery mildew.

In seed and plant offers it appears in several colour varieties – from the classic deep red through pink and purple to white. The flower colour and the other growing requirements do not differ markedly between varieties; the difference is mainly in the height of the plant and the density of the clump.

Sowing bergamot step by step

Fill a tray with light seed compost, level the surface and water it lightly.
Spread the seeds on the surface and only press them in lightly; do not cover them – they need light to germinate.
Cover the tray with sheeting or glass and keep the substrate constantly moist with a fine sprayer.
Place it in a bright spot at a temperature of 18–22 °C; germination usually takes 14 to 21 days.
After germination, uncover it, and once the seedlings have formed two true leaves, prick them out into individual pots.
A week to ten days before planting out, harden the plants off in a shaded spot in the garden.

The seeds can also be sown directly in the bed at the end of May, when late frosts have passed, but germination is less even and the first flowering usually comes only in the second year.

Position, soil and planting in the bed

Timing	Activity	Depth and spacing
March–April	sowing into a tray on a windowsill or in a greenhouse	seeds only pressed in, not covered
May	planting pre-grown seedlings in the bed	spacing 40–50 cm
May–June	direct sowing in the bed (alternative)	depth up to 0.5 cm, thin out later

Bergamot likes damp, humus-rich and well-drained soil in a sunny position; in afternoon shade it also tolerates partial shade – in dry conditions and in full sun, on the contrary, it is more at risk of powdery mildew. Before planting it is good to work well-rotted compost into the bed and, in dry locations, to allow for mulch, which keeps the soil moist for longer. On heavy clay soil it pays to add coarser sand or perlite too, so that water after rain does not stand at the roots and cause them to rot.

Watering and feeding

Bergamot needs generous and regular watering, especially during bud formation and flowering – drought bothers it much more than any excess moisture in the soil. Water at ground level, not on the leaves; this reduces the risk of fungal diseases and the leaves stay healthy and dark green. In spring it is enough to feed the clump with compost or a fertiliser for perennials; during the season further feeding is usually not necessary. In hot and dry years a layer of mulch from bark or cut grass helps, keeping moisture in the soil for longer and limiting weed growth around the clump.

Diseases and pests

The most common problem is powdery mildew, which appears mainly in dry weather and in overcrowded clumps without air circulation – it shows as a whitish coating on the leaves and needlessly weakens the plant. Sufficient spacing at planting, watering at ground level, plenty of sun and, in autumn, removal and disposal of affected foliage help, so that the spores are not carried over to the next season. Young seedlings can be harmed by slugs; older plants are practically at no serious risk and normally manage without chemical protection.

Propagation by division and overwintering

After three to four years the clump thins out in the middle – so in spring or autumn dig it up and divide it into smaller parts with healthy roots, which you replant. Bergamot is reliably frost-hardy here; after flowering it is enough to cut off the spent stems during the general autumn tidying of the beds, as the article In November don't be idle, if you want greenery in March! also describes. It can also be grown in a large container on a patio, if you choose a sufficiently large and well-drained pot following the advice in the article Don't be a dunce, get the right flower pot! – in a container, however, the plant dries out faster and needs more frequent watering.

Use in the garden and dried foliage

Bergamot is a sought-after honey plant; bees and butterflies flock to the flowering heads, so it suits a mixed perennial bed, a natural garden or a butterfly meadow. The flowering stems also last as a cut flower in a vase, where they stay fresh in water for more than a week. The leaves and flowers are traditionally dried and added to herbal blends for their citrus-bergamot scent, much as so-called Oswego tea was prepared in North America. Dried foliage can be stored in a paper bag or a glass container in a dark and dry place, where it keeps its scent for several months.

Frequently asked questions

When should bergamot be sown?

Most reliably in March to April into a tray on a bright windowsill. Direct sowing in the bed is possible at the end of May, but it usually flowers only in the second year.

How deep should the seeds be sown?

The seeds are tiny and need light to germinate, so they are only pressed lightly onto the surface of the substrate and not covered with soil.

Why is my bergamot not flowering?

The most common cause is a position that is too shady, drought during bud formation, or an overcrowded, unrejuvenated clump. Moving it to a sunnier spot and regular division once every few years help.

How should bergamot be overwintered?

It needs no special protection; it is enough to cut off the spent stems after flowering. In snowless winters with heavy frosts it appreciates a thin layer of mulch on the root ball.

Does bergamot spread around the garden?

The clump slowly expands sideways by rhizomes, but it is not an invasive spread. If you need to restrict the clump, it is enough to cut around it in spring and remove the excess part or replant it elsewhere.

Which plants should bergamot be combined with?

Side by side in a bed they tolerate damper and more humus-rich soil well, so bergamot suits combining with daylilies, ox-eye daisies or ornamental grasses – together they create a natural-looking bed that attracts bees, bumblebees and butterflies all summer.

Sources

Updated: 10 October 2026