Peppermint is one of the most popular herbs. Infused as tea, fresh in salads or as an ingredient in other dishes, it has conquered our kitchens for a long time. It can be kept in a pot, on the balcony or in the garden. Its relative, the lemon balm, impresses with its fresh, lemon-like taste. It is winter-proof and, like peppermint, versatile. Both plants are counted among the medicinal herbs or medicinal plants. Harvesting is easy. But what happens when the delicious plants start to bloom?
plant family
Botanically, peppermint and lemon balm belong to the mint family. All members of this plant family, which also includes basil and other mint varieties, are closely related. Looking at the genus of plants, peppermint belongs to the mint genus and lemon balm to the melissa genus. So there are similarities and differences between the two well-known medicinal herbs.
lemon balm
Lemon balm: Harvest and time of harvest
Lemon balm can be harvested several times a year. Since it tastes best fresh, you should only ever harvest the amount you need. The harvest time is generally from July to October. To keep the plant compact, cut off the shoots with the leaves. After cutting, the shoots will grow back. This also delays the flowering of the lemon balm, since most of the aroma is in the leaves before the plant starts to flower.
lemon balm
- harvest in the morning hours
- Cut stems up to 10 cm (amount as required)
- Lemon balm will sprout again and bloom again
Lemon balm blooms from June to August. If individual shoots start to bloom, they should no longer be cut off. Not only have they lost their refreshing taste, but they now even taste bitter. If the whole plant is flowering, it is better not to harvest at all during the flowering period. Leave the flowering plant to the bees and prune the plant after flowering. Depending on the height of the plant, it can be shortened to five centimeters.
After the new shoots can be harvested again until shortly before flowering. Depending on the needs and the size of the plant, this cycle can be repeated until October.
During the winter, no harvest can be brought in from lemon balm that has been planted out. Since the plant is dormant during this time, there is no new growth. If lemon balm is cultivated in a pot, it can be harvested, but it is better for the plant if it is allowed to rest in this case.
peppermint
Peppermint: harvest and harvest time
The tasty herb has two main harvest times. If you only need a few leaves, individual stems can be cut off at any time. You can cut fresh mint from May to September. It tastes equally good served fresh or dried. The best time to harvest is just before or at the beginning of flowering. This is when most of the aromatic substances are stored in the leaves. This is also the appropriate time for the first main harvest.
peppermint
For the main harvest, proceed as follows:
- Cut off stems in the morning hours
- cut back the stems
- Stems sprout again after harvest
During the flowering period, which is between June and September, depending on sowing and weather, the leaves lose their flavor intensity because the plant puts all its energy into its flowers. After all, they serve to reproduce them. You can still harvest leaves during flowering, but the leaves will have a little less flavor then. That's why it's best to leave the flowering mint to the bumblebees and other beneficial insects.
After flowering, trim the plant. When the shoots have reached an impressive size and developed nice, large leaves, the time has come for the second main harvest. Don't be surprised if these leaves taste less aromatic and a little tart. This is natural and can happen. If the summer rained heavily, the taste of the second harvest was less intense because the plant was unable to produce enough aroma. Basically, the mint can be cut until the first frost.
If the plant becomes too large or overgrown, it can be pruned back generously several times up to September/October.
edibility flowers
Edibility of flowers and stems
The peppermint flowers are edible. However, they are not so well suited for the well-known peppermint tea because they lack aromatic substances. Today, peppermint flowers are used as an ingredient in desserts. They also give summer punches a fresh kick. The blossoms of the lemon balm are mainly processed into syrup because they are also edible.
Since mint leaves and flowers are readily used in cooking, the claim that the plant becomes poisonous after flowering is nothing but a rumor. A blooming lemon balm is also completely non-toxic.
blooming lemon balm
The peppermint stems are not a waste product. You can dry the stems and leaves to make them more durable. If the leaves are needed for seasoning, for example, a tasty tea can still be made from the stems.
Peppermint fungus
Peppermint with mildew infestation
If the leaves of the medicinal plant are covered with a white, mealy coating, it is powdery mildew. The fungus is not harmful to humans. For purely visual reasons, however, we refrain from enjoying the mint leaves. It doesn't have to be. Since the fungus does not penetrate the leaf of the plant, it can be easily wiped off. The leaves then show their normal, intense green color again. Nothing stands in the way of consumption.
peppermint
tool
The stems of mint and lemon balm can be cut off with a sharp knife or scissors. Individual leaves can be pinched off with your fingers.
When cutting, make sure that the cut is smooth and that the rest of the stalk is not injured, because injuries to the stalks are a great gateway for pests. Individual stems should be cut off with care so that neighboring shoots are not injured. If individual leaves are pinched off, care must be taken not to damage the stem.