Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) is a North American native perennial known for its striking, whorled flowers that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Since this plant spreads via underground stems (rhizomes), established clumps often require regular maintenance to remain vigorous. Propagation is a straightforward process used to rejuvenate older, woody plants or to create more plants for the garden. The most common methods involve dividing the roots, taking stem cuttings, or starting new plants from seed.
Propagating Through Division
Root division is the most dependable method for increasing Bee Balm stock while ensuring new plants are genetically identical to the parent. Divide established clumps in early spring as new shoots emerge, or in early fall after blooming. Dividing the plant every two to three years helps manage its spreading nature and prevents the center from becoming unproductive.
Use a sharp spade to dig around the perimeter of the plant and lift the root mass from the soil. Discard the older, woody, central section, focusing instead on the young, healthy pieces from the edge of the clump. The root ball can be pulled apart by hand or cut into smaller sections.
Each new division needs several healthy shoots (“eyes”) and an intact root system. Immediately replant these sections at the original growing depth, ensuring they are well-watered to encourage establishment.
Propagating Through Stem Cuttings
Stem cuttings are used to clone a specific cultivar, ensuring the new plant retains the parent’s exact characteristics. Take cuttings in late spring to early summer, ideally before flowering, while the stem growth is still soft (“softwood”).
Select healthy, non-flowering stems and cut a segment three to five inches long, just below a leaf node. Remove the leaves from the lower two-thirds of the stem to prevent rotting when submerged. Dipping the prepared end into rooting hormone powder increases the success rate of root formation.
Insert the cuttings into a sterile, well-draining rooting medium, such as perlite and peat moss. Place the pots in bright, indirect light and maintain high humidity, perhaps by covering them with a clear plastic dome. Roots typically form within a few weeks, allowing the new plants to be grown in pots until ready for transplanting.
Propagating Through Seed
Starting Bee Balm from seed is useful for producing a large quantity of plants or for experimenting with new genetic variations. Hybrid seeds may not grow true to the parent plant. Seed propagation requires cold, moist stratification to break the seed’s natural dormancy.
Achieve this cold treatment by refrigerating seeds for 30 to 90 days (35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit) in a sealed bag with damp material, such as vermiculite. This mimics the natural winter conditions needed for germination. Alternatively, sow seeds directly outdoors in late fall for natural stratification.
After stratification, sow the tiny seeds on the surface of a pre-moistened, sterile seed-starting mix, as they require light to germinate. Gently press them onto the surface, but do not cover them, and keep the medium consistently moist. Germination typically occurs within 10 to 14 days.
Establishing New Bee Balm Plants
Once the new divisions, rooted cuttings, or seedlings are large enough, proper site selection is important for their long-term health and vigor. Bee Balm performs best when planted in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Plants grown in partial shade often become leggy and are more susceptible to disease.
The soil should be rich in organic matter and consistently moist, as Bee Balm does not tolerate prolonged dry periods. When transplanting, space the new plants 18 to 24 inches apart to ensure adequate air circulation between the mature stems. This spacing is a crucial cultural practice for mitigating the plant’s most common affliction, powdery mildew, a fungal disease that thrives in humid, crowded conditions.
To further reduce the risk of powdery mildew, always water the new plants at the base of the stem, avoiding overhead watering that wets the foliage. Maintaining good air flow and full sun exposure will help keep the leaves dry, promoting a healthy, robust plant. If planted correctly, the new Bee Balm will establish quickly and begin to form its own vigorous clump, which will eventually be ready for future division.