Spotted Bee Balm Seeds – Monarda Punctata

Spotted Bee Balm, also known as Monarda punctata or Horsemint, is a fragrant perennial herb admired for its attractive pink-lavender bracts and spotted tubular flowers. It is a pollinator-friendly plant that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it an excellent choice for native and pollinator gardens. Known for its minty aroma and medicinal value, this herb grows well in sunny, well-drained locations and is highly tolerant of heat and drought once established.

Features and Specifications:

• Plant Type: Perennial aromatic herb

• Scientific Name: Monarda punctata

• Common Names: Spotted Bee Balm, Horsemint, Dotted Mint

• Growth Habit: Upright, bushy, and spreading

• Height: 18–36 inches

• Flower Color: Pale pink to lavender with purple-spotted flowers

• Bloom Period: Summer to early fall

• Maturity: Blooms in the first or second growing season

• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soils

• Watering: Moderate; drought tolerant once mature

• Growing Season: Warm season

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9

• Sowing Months:

  • Zones 8–9: February–April or September–October

  • Zones 6–7: March–May

  • Zones 4–5: April–June

• Germination Time: 10–20 days

• Uses: Ideal for pollinator gardens, borders, medicinal herb gardens, and cut flower arrangements