Also known as Bee Balm · 4k gardener saves
Monarda: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Monarda, the genus most gardeners know as bee balm. We track 46 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Monarda varieties
Of 46 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedWild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
#2 most saved'Jacob Cline' Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'
#3 most savedBradbury's bee balm
Monarda bradburiana
Rockin' Raspberry Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Rockin' Raspberry'
Purple Rooster Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Purple Rooster'
Raspberry Mint Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Raspberry Wine'
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Bee-Happy'
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Marshall'
Blue Moon Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Blue Moon'
Grape Gumball Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Grape Gumball'
Pink Frosting Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Pink Frosting'
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Petite Delight'
Browse all 46 Monarda varieties →
How to grow Monarda
What the Monarda varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Monarda year
- DivideMarch and September100% of varieties
Divide clumps every 2-3 years to maintain vigor and control spread
- Check for PestsJune–August93% of varieties
Watch for spider mites in hot, dry conditions
- DeadheadJuly and August88% of varieties
Remove spent flower heads to tidy the plant
- Spring CleanupFebruary50% of varieties
Cut back old, dead stems to the ground before new growth starts
- PruneOctober38% of varieties
Cut back hard after flowering to prevent self-seeding.
Do
- Prune after flowering to encourage bushy growth
- Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Prune back after flowering to encourage bushy growth
- Fertilize in spring with organic compost
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Don’t fertilize late in the season
- Don’t plant in poorly drained soil
What goes wrong with Monarda
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply organic fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide as needed |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Increase humidity and spray with neem oil |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply neem oil or fungicide |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on foliage | Ensure good air flow and treat with fungicide |
| Leaf spot | Dark spots on foliage | Remove affected leaves and improve air flow |
Making more Monarda
Division
- Dig up mature plant in early spring or fall
- Carefully separate clumps with a sharp knife
- Plant divisions at same depth in prepared soil
- Water thoroughly and mulch to retain moisture
- Wait 4-6 weeks for new growth
Seed
- Sow seeds on the surface of moist seed-starting mix.
- Keep soil evenly moist and provide bright light.
- Transplant seedlings after 8-10 weeks when established.
Monarda questions
How many types of Monarda are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 46 distinct Monarda varieties. The most popular — ranked by 4k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Monarda grow in?
Across its varieties, Monarda covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Monarda bloom?
Most Monarda varieties bloom in mid-summer, late spring to early summer, early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Monarda should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Monarda
By hardiness zone
Related genera
Design with Monarda in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
