The Many Faces of Monarda

By Jill Henderson

There is nothing quite as enchanting as a chance encounter with a thriving patch of beautiful, medicinal Monarda in bloom. The near-electric colors of these common garden plants are sure to light up any spot in the landscape and dazzle the unsuspecting eye with multitudes of large, shaggy, upright flowers. And should you encounter Monarda in the wild, there’s a good chance that you will have been led to it by the sound of buzzing bees.

The Name Says It All

The most common species of Monarda are often collectively referred to as beebalm, but depending on where you live, they might be called any number of common names, including oswego tea, horsemint, and wild bergamot—all of which are the common names for various species belonging to the genus Monarda.

North America boasts a whopping seventeen native species of Monarda and multitudes of named cultivars. In this article, I will refer to the plants in this genus simply as Monarda, unless I am referring to a specific species. The name Monarda was given to this genus in honor of Nicolás Monardes, a Spanish botanist and physician who wrote about New World plants.

Monarda belong to the Lamiaceae (mint) family of plants. They are herbaceous perennials and annuals that have three- to six-inch lance-shaped leaves growing in opposite pairs along a square, slightly hairy stem—a classic mint family trait. The leaves also tend to be slightly hairy and have lightly toothed margins. A few species have lemon- or mint-scented leaves, but most smell very much like oregano, another mint family member.

Like other mint family plants, Monarda have long, tubular flowers that are divided into a narrow upper lip and a wider lower lip, perfectly designed to entice bee landings. Each blossom, or inflorescence, is made up of many individual flowers, which are grouped in one- to three-inch clusters at the ends of stems (terminate) or along the upper leaf axils, depending on the species.

Flowers range in color from soft pink to deep purple to fire-engine red. Some species have cream to yellow flowers with purple spots. There’s even a cultivar with flowers the color of orange sherbet! And because each inflorescence contains a multitude of individual flowers that open slowly over an extended period of time, Monarda provide a long-lasting floral display in the garden.

The two species of Monarda that are most often encountered in the wild are wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), which has rich, purple-pink flowers, and beebalm (Monarda didyma), whose flowers are an electric shade of red. Both species make excellent garden specimens and, along with their wild counterparts, have long been used by breeders to create new and interesting cultivated varieties.

The chart on the next page lists the currently recognized species of Monarda in North America. It does not include named cultivars, which number in the hundreds. And because Monarda plants naturally and easily hybridize in the wild, new species can appear at any time.

You may have noticed that many Monarda share similar common names that include the words beebalm, horsemint, and bergamot. The name “beebalm” is a natural for Monarda, because they do indeed attract a plethora of bees. But the use of the name “horsemint” is a little more confusing. After an extensive search of botanical epithets, I found no basis for the name in either Latin or Greek.

However, almost all of the Monarda species referred to as horsemint appear to prefer dry, sandy locations and were most likely encountered in fields or pastures where horses continually grazed and thus were called horsemint for lack of a better name. Either that, or some people found that the leaves of certain Monarda species smelled like a sweaty horse. I prefer the first scenario.

The name “bergamot” may also seem as odd as “horsemint,” since true bergamot is actually the inedible fruit of a citrus tree known as bergamot orange (Citrus aurantium ssp. bergamia). Grown since ancient times in regions of southern Italy, southern France, and the Ivory Coast of Africa, the bergamot orange tree is grown exclusively for the volatile oils found in the skin of the fruit, which are used in perfumery and as a distinct flavoring for products like Earl Grey tea. But the use of the name “bergamot” to describe some Monarda species most likely came about when early European settlers, who no longer had access to true bergamot, found the plant’s scent pleasingly similar.

More Than Just Beautiful

Of course, the leaves and flowers of all Monarda species are edible to one degree or another, though some are obviously more pleasant than others. Carefully dried, the leaves of M. didyma and M. fistulosa can be readily used with, or in place of, either oregano or marjoram. I find the herb to be a nice addition to mixed spice blends such as Italian seasoning, and as a substitute for black pepper. The leaves’ strong yet subtle flavor goes well with any type of meat, poultry, or fish and is most excellent on roasted potatoes and root vegetables. The lemon-flavored Monarda species, such as M. citriodora, can be used like lemon thyme on fish, chicken, seafood, and pasta. The lemony monardas also make a lovely hot tea.

The flowers of Monarda are also edible and are most welcome in green salads and cold fruit salads. When added to finished bottles of herbed vinegar, the individual flowers of Monarda impart a subtle flavor and add a pretty visual touch.

In addition to being quite edible, naturally occurring species of Monarda—particularly M. didyma and M. fistulosa—are tried and true medicinals. Throughout this article, I have purposely reinforced the fact that Monarda are similar to other mint family members in order to stress their value as both culinary herbs and medicinal plants. Medicinally speaking, Monarda can be safely used in every way that plants in the Origanum, Thymus, and Mentha genera are used.

Herbalists widely recommend and use native M. didyma for medicinal purposes because it has been shown to have the highest concentrations of volatile oils. If you choose to use another native species or a cultivated hybrid, be aware that it may not be as active medicinally.

Because of their relationship to oregano and thyme, most Monarda species contain naturally high levels of thymol and carvacrol—two biocide compounds known to help reduce the incidence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics like penicillin. Thymol has also been shown to be effective against fungal infections, specifically those involved in cases of drug-resistant Candida infections.

Recent research indicates that thymol is also showing great promise as a strong antimutagenic and antitumor agent, which may help treat or prevent some types of cancer. And while thymol is soluble in water (as in a tea or decoction), the medicinal properties of the leaves are much more potent when tinctured.

Proven as an antimicrobial biocide compound, thymol is used commercially as an antiseptic in many commercial mouthwashes. To help ease and heal a sore throat, toothache, or mouth sore, simply rinse regularly with a strong decoction of the fresh or dried leaves of common Monarda.

To ease the symptoms of common ailments such as gas, nausea, and colds or flu accompanied by fever or sore throat, slowly sip one to two cups of freshly brewed Monarda tea each day. To make the tea more palatable, sweeten it with a bit of honey.

With its antiseptic and anesthetic properties, a strong decoction of Monarda applied with a cotton ball or moist compress is very useful in preventing infections of minor wounds, rashes, scrapes, and cuts. The same strong decoction can be used as a wash or soak to treat fungal infections of the hands and feet, and can double as a rinse to stimulate hair growth.

For medicinal and culinary uses, the leaves of Monarda can be collected anytime, but the medicinal value is highest just as the plant begins to bloom. Fresh leaves are often a little bitter-tasting, but drying helps to sweeten them. Harvest leaves by cutting the stems with a sharp pair of scissors just above a pair of leaves. Be sure to leave several inches of leafy stem above the crown so the plant can regenerate new leaves.

There are two ways to dry leaves for later use. The first is to remove all the leaves from their stems and spread them out on a screen to dry. The other is to tie the ends of several stems together into loose, airy bunches and hang them in a shady area until the leaves are crisp. Whole leaves can be safely stored in an airtight jar in a dark, cool place for up to six months. The flowers can be set aside and used fresh or dried.

To make Monarda tea, place one to two tablespoons of dried herb in one cup of just-boiled water. Cover and steep for ten to fifteen minutes. To prepare a strong, healing decoction for external applications, simply double the amount of leaves and allow the brew to steep off of the heat for one to several hours.

Fresh leaf tinctures are easy to make using a 1:2 ratio (one part leaf to two parts drinking alcohol). Allow to steep for several weeks before straining and bottling. The typical dose for Monarda tinctures is four to six milliliters added to six ounces of water and taken up to three times per day. Teas, decoctions, and tinctures can all be used directly on the skin or added to herbal preparations like salves, ointments, lotions, and shampoos.

Monarda in the Garden

Monarda is an absolute stunner in its natural habitat, which makes it an exemplary addition to naturalized areas and wildflower gardens. Yet it shines equally bright in cultivated flower, vegetable, and herb gardens, where it attracts a plethora of pollinating bees, beautiful butterflies, and busy hummingbirds.

Some gardeners report that M. fistulosa is the easiest species to start from seed, but all Monarda species will readily self-sow when given the right environment. The only catch is that the seeds of almost every species require a period of cold moist stratification before they will germinate.

For those gardeners who purchase their seeds from commercial seed sources or nurseries, manual stratification is not necessary. Most seed houses stratify their seeds prior to distribution. However, seeds that have been collected from the wild or from cultivated gardens will need to be stratified, which is easily accomplished by sowing the seeds outdoors, anytime from late fall to early winter.

In the spring, thin young seedlings that have at least one pair of true leaves to stand six to eight inches apart, with a final spacing of eighteen to twenty-four inches, depending on the species. The same spacing guidelines apply to potted nursery stock and root divisions. Be sure to keep young and newly transplanted plants well watered until they are firmly established.

Keep in mind that not all Monarda like the same growing conditions. Some species thrive in full sun and rich soil, while others require partial shade and sandy soil. Refer to the previous chart for the preferred growing conditions of each Monarda species. If unsure of the species, plant Monarda in an area that receives early morning sun and late afternoon shade and provide it with average, well-drained soil.

Like other mint family members, Monarda spread by seed and an extensive system of shallow, rhizomatous roots. Take care to give perennial Monarda plenty of room in the garden, and plan to divide the plants every few years to keep them in check. Dividing also helps prevent diseases of the root system and generates lots of new plants for friends and family.

If left to their own devices, some of the more common Monarda species can grow very tall and lanky, making them top-heavy while in bloom. To help keep large plants tidy and upright, trim an inch or two off the very tips of the plants in mid-spring when they are ten to twelve inches tall and again when spent flowers are removed. This also helps the plant to produce more flowers.

Like other mints, Monarda are prone to powdery mildew during hot, dry spells. To help prevent this disease, avoid overcrowding and overhead watering, keep soils constantly and evenly moist, and remove infected foliage immediately. In the fall, cut plants almost to the ground and remove the debris from the garden. This not only helps prevent future bouts of mildew but helps prevent the spread of rust, which occasionally plagues Monarda.

Long used as a companion planting in organic gardens, Monarda does in fact have natural insecticidal qualities due to its high levels of thymol, which has been identified as a class of hydrocarbon monoterpene that is also found in common thyme. Not only do these terpenes attract good bugs, such as bees and butterflies, but they also have the ability to repel or kill bad bugs, such as the larvae of the Colorado potato beetle when a leaf decoction is sprayed on plants.

As an organic pesticide, thymol is very short lived in soil (five days) and water (sixteen days), which helps prevent intrusion into waterways. And according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs, “No unreasonable adverse effects on humans or the environment are anticipated from aggregate exposure to thymol.”1

As if that weren’t enough, deer and other browsers dislike the smell and taste of Monarda, and will leave these beautiful natives untouched.

No matter what you prefer to call them, Monarda plants are blessed with an incredible array of attributes that will more than pay for themselves in beauty and functionality. If you haven’t tried Monarda in your garden before, now is a perfect time to start.

Endnote

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs, “THYMOL 5-methyl-2-isopropyl-1-phenol (PC Code 080402),” www.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/registration/decision_PC-080402_23-Mar-06.pdf.

Jill Henderson is an artist, author, and world traveler with a penchant for wild edible and medicinal plants, culinary herbs, and nature ecology. She has written three books, including The Healing Power of Kitchen Herbs: Growing and Using Nature’s Remedies, A Journey of Seasons: A Year in the Ozarks High Country, and The Garden Seed Saving Guide: Seed Saving for Everyone.

A lifelong organic gardener and seed saver with a passion for sustainable agriculture and local food production, Jill presents workshops to teach gardeners about the detrimental impacts of bio-engineered food crops and how to grow and save open-pollinated and heirloom seeds.

Jill also writes and edits Show Me Oz (ShowMeOz.wordpress.com), a weekly blog filled with gardening and seed-saving tips, homesteading wisdom, edible and medicinal plants, nature, and more. She is a regular contributor to Llewellyn’s Herbal Almanac, Acres USA, and the Permaculture Activist.

In her spare time, Jill is a professional artist specializing in custom pet portraits and wildlife art. You can view some of her work at ForeverPetPortraits.wordpress.com. Jill and her husband, Dean, live and work in the heart of the rugged Ozark Mountains.

Species of Monarda	Common Name	Flower Color	Habitat
PERENNIALS
M. bartlettii	Bartlette’s Beebalm, Bartlett’s Monarda	Purple to magenta	WD, FS-PSh, Mildew Resist
M. bradburiana	Eastern Beebalm, Wild Bergamot, Horsemint, Bradbury Beebalm	Lilac to white with purple spots	WD sand rocky, FS- PSh, DT
M. clinopodia	White Bergamot	White to light pink	MWD, average soils, FS-PSh
M. didyma	Oswego Tea, Red Bergamot, Scarlet Beebalm	Red	MWD, rich loam, FS-PSh
M. fistulosa	Wild Bergamot, Beebalm	White, pink, or purple	MWD, FS-PSh, DT
M. lindheimeri	Lindheimer’s Beebalm	White	MWD, FS-PSh, DT
M. menthaefolia	Mintleaf Bergamot, Oregano de la Sierra	Bright pink	MWD, FS-PSh
M. pringlei	Lemon Horsemint, Pringle’s Beebalm, Pringle’s Bergamot, Dwarf Beebalm	Red to bright pink	WD, Part Shade, Mildew Resist
M. russeliana	Redpurple Beebalm, Russell’s Horsemint	Purple-pink	MWD, S-PSh

M. viridissima	Green Beebalm, Green Horsemint	White to pink with red spots, showy bracts	Dry sandy loam, FS-PSh, DT
M. fruticulosa	Spotted Beebalm, Shrubby Horsemint, South Texas Beebalm	White to light pink	Dry sandy loam, FS-PSh, DT
M. media	Purple Beebalm, Purple Bergamot	Reddish pink to purple	MWD, Rich loam, FS-PSh
ANNUALS
M. citriodora	Lemon Beebalm, Purple Horsemint, Lemon Mint, Plains Horsemint, Lemon Horsemint	White to lilac, purple leaf bracts	WD rocky sand, FS-PSh, DT
M. clinopodioides	Basil Beebalm, East Texas Horsemint	Soft pink	WD sandy clay, FS-PSh, DT
M. pectinata	Pony Beebalm, Horsemint, Plains Beebalm, Spotted Beebalm, Pagoda Plant	Purple with white spots, purple bracts	WD sandy, FS-PSh, DT
M. punctata	Spotted Beebalm, Spotted Horsemint, Dotted Horsemint	Creamy yellow with purple spots, showy purple bracts	WD sandy, FS-PSh, DT
WD = well-drained, MWD = moist well-drained, DT = drought-tolerant, FS-PSh = full sun to part shade