Zone 8 · winter lows 10°F to 20°F
Monarda for Zone 8
45 Monarda varieties rated hardy through Zone 8, ranked by how many gardeners actually grow them. Zone 8 is mild winters open the door to broadleaf evergreens and early bloom.
The Monarda that thrive in Zone 8
#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'
Raspberry Mint Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Raspberry Wine'
Bee-Happy Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Bee-Happy'
Bradbury's bee balm
Monarda bradburiana
Pink Frosting Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Pink Frosting'
Marshall's Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Marshall'
Petite Delight Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Petite Delight'
Blue Moon Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Blue Moon'
Purple Rooster Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Purple Rooster'
Grape Gumball Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Grape Gumball'
Sugar Buzz Cherry Pops Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Sugar Buzz Cherry Pops'
Pink Chenille Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Pink Chenille'
Pardon My Cerise Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Pardon My Cerise'
Blue Stocking Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Blue Stocking'
Balmy Purple Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Balmy Purple'
Bergamo Bee Balm
Monarda x hybrida 'Bergamo'
Bee Balm Oswego Tea
Monarda didyma
Beebalm Cherry Pops
Monarda didyma 'Cherry Pops'
Balmy Rose Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Balmy Rose'
Fireball Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Fireball'
Bubblegum Blast Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Bubblegum Blast'
Purple Bee Balm
Monarda didyma 'Purple'
Showing the 24 most-saved of 45 Zone 8–hardy Monarda varieties. See the full Monarda list →
Monarda in Zone 8
Will Monarda survive a Zone 8 winter?
45 of the 46 Monarda varieties in the Sow catalog are rated hardy through Zone 8, where winter lows reach 10°F to 20°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 8?
In Zone 8 the last spring frost typically lands around late March and the first fall frost around mid-November. 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 8?
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 8 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.