Plant ID Pages

Plant ID Pages

Plant ID Pages

Hummingbird moth with bee balm blossom
Hummingbird moth with bee balm blossom

Bee Balm/ Monarda (Monarda spp.)


Spicy. Soothing. Summer’s best bloom.

What It Is

Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) is a native mint relative known for its bright flowers, spicy scent, and wide array of uses.

You might know it as wild bergamot, Oswego tea, or horsemint- and pollinators know it as a party.



Spicy. Soothing. Summer’s best bloom.

What It Is

Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) is a native mint relative known for its bright flowers, spicy scent, and wide array of uses.

You might know it as wild bergamot, Oswego tea, or horsemint- and pollinators know it as a party.


Use It Like This

  • Fresh or dried as a tea

  • As a replacement for oregano or thyme

  • Infused into honey or syrup

  • Chopped into salad dressings

  • Added to wildflower jellies or baked goods

Tip: The flavor varies by species. Some lean minty, others lean citrusy or oregano-spicy.


Harvest Notes

  • Snip flowers and leaves mid-morning when oils are strong

  • Always harvest with respect — leave blooms for pollinators too

  • Watch for powdery mildew in late summer


Want More?

Download a Bee Balm Recipe Card

Harvest Notes

  • Snip flowers and leaves mid-morning when oils are strong

  • Always harvest with respect — leave blooms for pollinators too

  • Watch for powdery mildew in late summer


Want More?

Download a Bee Balm Recipe Card

Students identifying and sorting edible wild plants as part of a foraging certification course.
Fresh wild greens and berries in a wooden bowl, representing the hands-on results of Foraging Academy’s certification classes.
Group of students processing acorns together during a foraging class, representing shared learning and scholarship.
Students identifying and sorting edible wild plants as part of a foraging certification course.
Students identifying and sorting edible wild plants as part of a foraging certification course.
Fresh wild greens and berries in a wooden bowl, representing the hands-on results of Foraging Academy’s certification classes.
Fresh wild greens and berries in a wooden bowl, representing the hands-on results of Foraging Academy’s certification classes.
Group of students processing acorns together during a foraging class, representing shared learning and scholarship.
Group of students processing acorns together during a foraging class, representing shared learning and scholarship.