Elsholtzia ciliata Seeds

Vietnamese balm (Elsholtzia ciliata) is an annual culinary herb with lemon-scented leaves, 30–90 cm tall. Its seed needs light and warm soil: sow on the surface and expect seedlings in 10–14 days. The packet holds 20 seeds.

Also known as: Kinh Giới, Crested Late-Summer Mint. Family Lamiaceae.

Sow warm, on the surface

• Start indoors before the last frost.
• Sow on the surface of warm, moist soil; do not cover, as the seed needs light.
• Keep the soil warm until seedlings appear in 10–14 days; the seed will not germinate in cool soil.

Growing on

Full sun, with moist, well-drained sandy or loamy soil. Water regularly so the soil stays evenly moist. The plant needs warm weather to grow well.

Leaves and flowers

The bright green leaves are serrated and smell of lemon verbena and lemongrass. In Vietnamese cooking they flavour meat dishes, soups and salads. Small two-lipped flowers, purple to blue, open in late summer.

What you get

One packet of 20 Elsholtzia ciliata seeds. We do not state a germination percentage for this lot.

FAQ

Why did nothing come up?

Cool soil or covering the seed are the usual causes. It needs warm soil and light to germinate.

What does it taste like?

Lemony; the leaves smell of lemon verbena and lemongrass.

Can I sow it straight outside?

Starting indoors before the last frost is safer, because the seed will not germinate in cool soil.