bee balm

noun

1

: any of several monardas

especially : a perennial monarda (Monarda didyma) of eastern North America having showy flower heads made up of scarlet tubular flowers

2

: lemon balm

Examples of bee balm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just south of Champaign along I-57, IDOT removed invasive autumn olive shrubs and planted purple coneflower, bee balm and milkweed. — Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Prune bee balm, phlox, and peonies in fall to prevent diseases like powdery mildew; do not compost diseased foliage. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026

Mondarda fistulosa, also known as native bee balm, is one type of plant master gardener Colleen Dieter especially loves to save seeds from. — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 21 Aug. 2026

For best results, Langelo says to cut bee balm (Monarda didyma) back 6 inches above the ground before dividing. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for bee balm

• aplomb
• balaam
• begam
• cocom
• embalm
• islam
• pogrom
• salaam
• sitcom
• bom
• bomb
• calm