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.

45 hardy hereof 46 Monarda totalLast frost ~late March

The Monarda that thrive in Zone 8

#1 most saved

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Zones 4–9· 153 saves· from $10

#2 most saved

'Jacob Cline' Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'

Zones 4–8· 134 saves· from $8

#3 most saved

Bradbury's bee balm

Monarda bradburiana

Zones 4–8· 130 saves

Rockin' Raspberry Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Rockin' Raspberry'

Zones 4–9· 129 saves

Purple Rooster Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Purple Rooster'

Zones 4–9· 126 saves· from $13

Raspberry Mint Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Raspberry Wine'

Zones 4–8· 126 saves· from $27

Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Bee-Happy'

Zones 4–9· 124 saves

Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Marshall'

Zones 4–9· 124 saves

Blue Moon Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Blue Moon'

Zones 4–9· 122 saves· from $8

Grape Gumball Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Grape Gumball'

Zones 4–9· 122 saves· from $14

Pink Frosting Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Pink Frosting'

Zones 4–9· 121 saves· from $14

Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Petite Delight'

Zones 4–9· 120 saves· from $28

Sugar Buzz Cherry Pops Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Sugar Buzz Cherry Pops'

Zones 4–8· 114 saves

Pink Chenille Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Pink Chenille'

Zones 4–9· 109 saves· from $14

Pardon My Cerise Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Pardon My Cerise'

Zones 4–9· 104 saves

Bergamo Bee Balm

Monarda x hybrida 'Bergamo'

Zones 4–9· 100 saves

Blue Stocking Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Blue Stocking'

Zones 4–9· 99 saves· from $13

Balmy Purple Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Balmy Purple'

Zones 4–9· 97 saves· from $7

Beauty of Cobham Beebalm

Monarda didyma 'Beauty of Cobham'

Zones 4–9· 94 saves

Purple Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Purple'

Zones 4–9· 93 saves

Balmy Lilac Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Balmy Lilac'

Zones 4–9· 92 saves· from $12

Fireball Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Fireball'

Zones 4–9· 92 saves· from $7

Red Velvet Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Red Velvet'

Zones 4–9· 92 saves· from $13

Bubblegum Blast Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Bubblegum Blast'

Zones 4–9· 91 saves· from $8

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

All Monarda

Every Monarda variety (46)

Monarda in other zones

More for Zone 8

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.