When to plant lemon balm in Richmond, Virginia

April 3 – April 17

Transplant outdoors · typical Richmond year

Climate basis: NOAA station Richmond INTL AP, VA (USW00013740), 7 mi (11 km) from downtown Richmond (ZCTA 23219 centroid), elevation 164 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant lemon balm outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 3). One year in ten still freezes after April 18.

Last spring freezeApril 31-in-10 after Apr 18

First fall freezeNovember 41-in-10 before Oct 23

Frost-free season≈ 215 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 22 – Nov 15kills even hardy greens

USDA zone7b5 to 10°F winter low — not frost timing

The Richmond year

Start seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6

Transplant outdoorsApr 3 – Apr 17

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 18

Lemon Balm in Richmond · freeze context from Richmond INTL AP, VA, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Feb 20 – Mar 6

Wisconsin Horticulture sows lemon balm indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost, so the window runs 6 to 4 weeks before that date. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 3). University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture · Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech

Transplant outdoors

Apr 3 – Apr 17

Wisconsin Horticulture ties lemon balm transplanting to seedling height rather than a date, so the frost anchor comes from Virginia Cooperative Extension's herb publication — whose herb table lists lemon balm — which sets all herb plants out after the danger of severe frost has passed. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 3). Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech

Variety assumption: A hardy perennial that self-seeds freely; these windows apply to first-year plantings from seed or nursery plants.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (2)

University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture: Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis (accessed 2026-07-25)
"Lemon balm can be started from seed sown indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost, although seeds may be somewhat slow to germinate."
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech: Herb Culture and Use (Publication 426-420) (accessed 2026-07-25)
"In addition, many culinary herbs, such as tarragon, can only be propagated asexually; seed-grown plants lack the oils that give them flavor."

Keep exploring

This crop, other cities

Related crops in Richmond

Local overview