Great as a gift 🌸
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis · Lamiaceae
How it looks
Lemon Balm is a mint-family herb with toothed, heart-shaped dark green leaves arranged opposite. The stems are square, and rubbing the leaves releases a strong lemon scent. Small white flowers gather at the branch tips. It reaches 12-31 in (30-80 cm) tall.
Lemon Balm is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. An occasional nibble is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
Even with a safe plant, make a habit of picking up fallen leaves the same day. If your cat likes to dig in or eat potting soil, fertilizer ingredients can upset their stomach — covering the soil with pebbles works well. If it comes home as a cut stem, florists often treat it with preservatives, so place the vase where your cat can't drink the water.
Details
- Scientific name
- Melissa officinalis
- Common name
- Lemon Balm
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Source
- ASPCA
