Zone 6 · winter lows -10°F to 0°F
Monarda for Zone 6
46 Monarda varieties rated hardy through Zone 6, ranked by how many gardeners actually grow them. Zone 6 is the sweet spot — nearly everything hardy grows here.
The Monarda that thrive in Zone 6
#1 most savedWild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
#2 most saved'Jacob Cline' Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'
#3 most savedRockin' Raspberry Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Rockin' Raspberry'
Bee-Happy Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Bee-Happy'
Raspberry Mint Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Raspberry Wine'
Marshall's Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Marshall'
Bradbury's bee balm
Monarda bradburiana
Pink Frosting Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Pink Frosting'
Petite Delight Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Petite Delight'
Purple Rooster Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Purple Rooster'
Blue Moon Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Blue Moon'
Grape Gumball Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Grape Gumball'
Sugar Buzz Cherry Pops Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Sugar Buzz Cherry Pops'
Pardon My Cerise Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Pardon My Cerise'
Pink Chenille Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Pink Chenille'
Blue Stocking Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Blue Stocking'
Balmy Purple Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Balmy Purple'
Bee Balm Oswego Tea
Monarda didyma
Bergamo Bee Balm
Monarda x hybrida 'Bergamo'
Balmy Rose Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Balmy Rose'
Fireball Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Fireball'
Beebalm Cherry Pops
Monarda didyma 'Cherry Pops'
Bee Balm Leading Lady Plum
Monarda x hybrida 'Leading Lady Plum'
Marshall's Delight Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Marshall's Delight'
Showing the 24 most-saved of 46 Zone 6–hardy Monarda varieties. See the full Monarda list →
Monarda in Zone 6
Will Monarda survive a Zone 6 winter?
46 of the 47 Monarda varieties in the Sow catalog are rated hardy through Zone 6, where winter lows reach -10°F to 0°F. Hardiness is per-variety, not per-genus — the plants listed above are the ones that hold up; others in the genus are not rated for this zone.
When should I plant Monarda in Zone 6?
In Zone 6 the last spring frost typically lands around late April and the first fall frost around mid-October. Planting after the last frost — or in early fall, so roots establish before the ground cools — gives the best establishment. Each plant page lists its own planting months.
Which Monarda is best for Zone 6?
Start at the top of the list above: it is ranked by how many gardeners actually save and grow each variety, which is a strong real-world reliability signal. Then narrow by your sun exposure and the mature size that fits the bed.
Keep exploring
See Monarda in your Zone 6 yard
Snap a photo of your space and Sow places these varieties in it at true mature size — then keeps the care schedule for everything you plant.