Lemon balm is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family and native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia, but now naturalised elsewhere. It grows to a maxi…Lemon balm is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family and native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia, but now naturalised elsewhere. It grows to a maximum height of 1 m. The leaves have a mild lemon scent. During summer, small white flowers full of nectar appear. It is not to be confused with bee balm, although the white flowers attract bees, hence the genus Melissa.