How to Grow Bergamots USA

Growth Stages

Stage	BBCH	Notes
Planting	0	RHS: propagate by seed or division in spring, or basal softwood cuttings; moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. NC State: spaced 12in-3ft apart -- the plant can spread rapidly by underground stolons, so allow room.
Establishment care	3	RHS: protect from excessive winter wet, and do not allow to dry out in summer -- dry spells can lead to powdery mildew, while waterlogged soil can rot the plant. NC State: avoid overhead watering specifically to minimise mildew.
Flowering and pollinators	6	RHS: flowers very attractive to bees and butterflies; deadhead regularly to encourage more. NC State: draws bumblebees, swallowtail butterflies and ruby-throated hummingbirds specifically, and serves as a larval host to the hermit sphinx moth, orange mint moth and raspberry pyrausta.
Harvest and autumn cutback	8	NC State: flowers edible, used in teas, jellies, soups, stews and fruit salads; leaves have a minty aroma when crushed. RHS: cut stems down to the ground in autumn; lift and divide the clump every three years to keep it vigorous.

Quick Facts

Factor	Value
Drainage	Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained (RHS); NC State: good drainage, moist or occasionally wet, avoid overhead watering to reduce disease risk.
Lifecycle	Clump-forming herbaceous perennial. NC State: can spread rapidly by underground stolons.
Edible parts	flowers, leaves

At a Glance

Harvest & Storage

When to pick: NC State: flowers edible, used in teas, jellies, soups, stews and fruit salads; leaves have a minty aroma when crushed. RHS: deadhead regularly through summer for more flowers.

Storage

Used fresh, or dried leaves and flowers for tea (NC State).

Diseases

Bergamot rust

low

Named directly by NC State ("rust"); RHS's UK guide does not mention it.

Powdery mildew

moderate

Named independently by both RHS ("powdery mildews," linked to dry summer spells) and NC State ("powdery mildew," linked to overhead watering) -- both pointing at moisture management as the real fix.

Pests

Slugs

low

Gastropoda (slugs, various spp.)

Named directly by RHS.

Sources

1. North Carolina State University Extension (Plant Toolbox) - Monarda didyma (Bee Balm, Bergamot, Oswego Tea)

   Light: full sun (6+ hours), tolerates some shade. Soil: clay or high organic matter; pH acid (<6.0) or neutral (6.0-8.0); good drainage, moist or occasionally wet. Size: 2-4ft height, 2-3ft width, spaced 12in-3ft; can spread rapidly by underground stolons. Hardiness USDA zones 4a-9b. Native range: eastern North America, NC mountains and throughout the Appalachians. Propagation: division, leaf cuttings, or seed. Pests/diseases: susceptible to powdery mildew and rust; avoid overhead watering to minimise mildew; some cultivars show fair resistance (e.g. Marshall's Delight). Pollinators: bumblebees, swallowtail butterflies, ruby-throated hummingbirds, specialised bee species; larval host to hermit sphinx moth, orange mint moth, raspberry pyrausta. Harvest/edibility: flowers edible, used in teas, jellies, soups, stews, fruit salads; leaves have a minty aroma when crushed, used in herbal medicine; brown seed capsules display September-October.

These source is specific to this region. The full list of 2 sources behind this guide (North Carolina State University Extension (Plant Toolbox), Royal Horticultural Society) is in the references of our UK guide to bergamot; they describe the plant itself, which is the same wherever it grows.