The Tea Garden Guide
Lemon Balm
Benefits & Growing Tips:
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, so like mint, it can spread quickly. For me, that's a bonus! Its lush and vibrant foliage adds beautiful texture and color to the garden, and it reliably returns year after year, and as a perennial, it has proven itself through Mississippi's unpredictable weather.
Lemon balm thrives in full sun to partial shade, though I find it appreciates a little afternoon shade. Because it spreads quickly through both underground runners and self-seeding, it's a good idea to give lemon balm plenty of room or grow it in a container if you'd rather keep it contained. I like to harvest it often; not only because I use it so much, but because regular pruning encourages thicker growth. If flower stalks begin to form, trimming them back helps the plant focus its energy on producing fresh and fragrant leaves.
Lemon balm is as beneficial as it is beautiful. Its fragrant leaves help deter many destructive garden pests while attracting beneficial insects and pollinators like bees and butterflies. Plant it near vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, or squash to help create a more pollinator-friendly growing space.
How To Use It:
Crush fresh leaves and rub them on your skin as a natural mosquito repellent.
Toss fresh leaves into salads for a bright, citrusy flavor.
Use as a fresh garnish for meals and drinks.
Blend into a homemade citrus vinaigrette for a light, refreshing dressing.
Freeze-dry the leaves to enjoy soothing herbal tea year-round.
Add fresh sprigs to floral arrangements for fragrance and greenery.
Mix dried leaves with coarse salt to create a flavorful herb-infused finishing salt.
Grow it to attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
Enjoy its fresh lemon scent in the garden and around the home.
Mojito Mint
Benefits & Growing Tips:
I know I shouldn’t have favorites, but I can’t lie. This is hands down my most preffered mint. Mojito mint offers a subtle mint flavor, a mild sweetness, and a hint of citrus without any of the bitterness found in other mints.
Like other mints, mojito mint is a vigorous grower. I recommend planting it in a container or a raised bed if you want to keep it from spreading throughout your garden. If you don't mind a patch of mint (I certainly don't!), it can also make a beautiful, fragrant ground cover that comes back year after year.
Mojito mint grows best in full sun to partial shade and appreciates consistently moist, well-drained soil. In the hot Mississippi climate, a little afternoon shade helps keep the leaves lush and flavorful. Harvest often throughout the growing season, as regular picking encourages the plant to become fuller and produce even more fresh leaves.
One of my favorite things about growing mojito mint is how easy it is. It's incredibly forgiving, bounces back quickly after harvesting, and fills the garden with a fresh minty smell. The flowers also attract bees and other pollinators, making it a great addition to both herb gardens and flower beds.
How To Use It:
Brew the leaves into a calming herbal tea, either fresh or freeze-dried for year-round enjoyment.
Infuse fresh sprigs into water or lemonade for a refreshing citrus flavor.
Make a lemon balm-infused simple syrup for cocktails, mocktails, iced tea, or desserts.
Freeze chopped leaves into ice cubes to add a fresh herbal twist to lemonade, iced tea, or sparkling water.
Garnish your favorite cocktails and mocktails with fresh sprigs for a fragrant, elegant finish.
Plant it in your garden to help deter unwanted pests while attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
Citrus Basil
Benefits & Growing Tips:
Citrus basil is a fun twist on traditional sweet basil, combining its classic flavor with a bright, refreshing lemony aroma. Like other basil varieties, citrus basil thrives in full sun, warm temperatures, and well-draining soil. Once the weather has warmed, it grows quickly and rewards you with fragrant leaves throughout the season. Regular harvesting also helps keep the plant full and bushy.
Beyond its delicious flavor, citrus basil is packed with antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds that support overall wellness. Its uplifting citrus fragrance can brighten your mood while you work in the garden or prepare a meal, making it a wonderful herb to grow near patios, walkways, or outdoor seating areas. Whether you're adding it to your favorite recipes or simply enjoying its refreshing scent, citrus basil is a beautiful and productive addition to any herb garden.
How To Use It:
Add fresh leaves to salads.
Make a citrus basil salt.
Dry the leaves and blend them into your favorite herbal tea mixes.
Tuck fresh sprigs into flower arrangements.
Use as a companion plant to encourage pollinators and deter unwanted pests.
Blend into a fresh pesto.
