medicinal herbs
Plains Lemon Monarda
Monarda pectinata

• Medicinal herbs
• Natural herbs
• Latin names
• Common names

Herb: Plains Lemon Monarda

Latin name: Monarda pectinata

Family: Labiatae

Medicinal use of Plains Lemon Monarda:

The plant is analgesic, antiseptic and stomachic. An infusion has been used in the treatment of coughs, colds, fevers and stomach complaints. The plant has been rubbed on the head to bring relief from headache. An infusion of the flowers has been used as a wash on insect bites and stings.

Description of the plant:

Habitat of the herb:

Dry soils.

Edible parts of Plains Lemon Monarda:

Leaves - cooked. A strong aromatic flavour, they are used as a flavouring in cooked foods and salads.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - sow mid to late spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 10 - 40 days at 20°C. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in late summer in areas where the winters are not too severe and will produce larger plants. Cuttings of soft basal shoots in spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation of Plains Lemon Monarda:

Dry soils.

Known hazards of Monarda pectinata:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.