Every summer, do you find yourself battling mosquito bites every evening? Chemical solutions are far from being the healthiest choices for you or the environment. What if nature provided you with a healthy, practical, and wonderfully fragrant alternative? Discover lemon balm, your new natural and easy mosquito repellent.

Lemon balm, what are its characteristics?

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a beautiful perennial plant from the Lamiaceae family, native to the Mediterranean region. Be careful not to confuse it with tropical lemongrass, which belongs to a different botanical family.

When mature, this herbaceous plant reaches a height of 60 to 80 centimeters. Its light green leaves, delicately edged, release an incomparable lemon scent when crushed.

During summer, its small white or slightly yellow flowers bring joy to bees and other helpful insects.

Why does lemon balm effectively repel mosquitoes?

The true anti-mosquito power of this plant lies in the essential oils naturally contained in its leaves. Specifically, two effective molecules: citral and citronellal, which emit an odor unbearable to mosquitoes.

These substances work by particularly confusing the olfactory receptors of mosquitoes. By masking human body odors, they make it difficult for these pesky insects to locate us.

The icing on the cake: the effectiveness of lemon balm has been demonstrated even against invasive species that carry diseases, such as the tiger mosquito.

How to best use lemon balm daily?

Strategic planting in your garden

For maximum effectiveness against mosquitoes, plant lemon balm in strategic locations:

  • Along the edge of the terrace or outdoor living areas.
  • Near the windows of bedrooms to minimize nighttime mosquito visits.
  • Around wet areas of your garden, preferred breeding spots for mosquitoes.
  • In masses or hedges to create natural protective barriers.

Homemade recipes with lemon balm

While lemon balm works well when planted, preparing it as a natural repellent enhances its effectiveness even further.

  • Infusion against mosquitoes: Boil 1 liter of water and pour it over 100 g of chopped fresh leaves. After filtering and cooling, spray this infusion on your skin before going out (make sure to do a patch test to avoid allergies).
  • Fresh repellent bouquets: Simply place a few freshly cut sprigs in vases to emit natural protection indoors or outdoors.
  • Leaf rubbing: Crush fresh leaves and apply their oil directly to your skin. This is particularly useful in emergencies; it’s immediate and effective.

Successfully multiplying lemon balm

Incredibly easy to multiply, lemon balm can quickly fill your garden with minimal effort. Here’s how to do it simply:

Division of clumps

This is the simplest method: in spring or autumn, take an adult plant, gently divide its roots into several pieces that you replant directly in the ground 40 cm apart. Don’t forget to water generously!

Simplified cuttings

At the beginning of summer, collect young stems (10-15 cm), plant them in a sand-soil mix, keep them moist, and place them in a semi-shaded area. In 3 weeks, you’ll have new plants.

Natural self-sowing

Simply allow a few plants at the end of flowering to go to seed: lemon balm self-sows and will provide you with young shoots as soon as the weather warms up.

Some practical tips to easily cultivate your lemon balm

Easy to care for, this plant thrives well when you follow a few simple conditions:

  • Choose a semi-shaded or sunny area.
  • Prefer a rich and well-drained soil.
  • Water regularly but without overwatering.
  • Cut flowering stems to stimulate new growth.

Be cautious, as its ability to proliferate can become excessive: monitor its growth regularly to control it, for example, by delimiting its area with growth barriers.

Other well-known beneficial qualities!

Lemon balm is not just a mosquito repellent: it also has multiple medicinal properties useful in the home:

  • Calming effects against stress and sleep disorders.
  • Antiviral and antioxidant effects beneficial for boosting your defenses.
  • Relief from digestive disorders.

In cooking, it delicately flavors cocktails, lemonades, desserts… a treat that’s also beneficial!

Finally, lemon balm promotes biodiversity and attracts beneficial insects, precious allies for a healthy garden.

Where to ideally install lemon balm outside?

  • In the vegetable garden: when planted alongside tomatoes, cabbages or salads, it repels many harmful insects while attracting pollinators.
  • In a flowerbed with other aromatic plants: lavenders, fragrant basils, or geraniums will create a beautiful fragrant and repellent bed.
  • In a pot for balcony or terrace: accessible even if you live in an apartment, it easily thrives in containers.

Easy to grow, useful, and fragrant, lemon balm will quickly become essential to your outdoor life this summer. Goodbye mosquitoes, hello relaxation in nature!

Have you tried lemon balm against mosquitoes? What do you think? Share your tips and experiences in the comments! We’re eager to hear your experiences and additional advice for enjoying summer in the garden.