How to Dry Lemon Balm at Home (4 Easy Methods)
There's nothing quite like the fresh citrus fragrance of lemon balm growing in the garden. While enjoying it fresh is wonderful, drying lemon balm is one of the easiest ways to preserve its flavor and aroma long after the growing season ends.
Whether you're planning to make herbal tea, create homemade herbal blends, or simply save your harvest for winter, drying lemon balm is simple and requires very little equipment.
In this guide, we'll walk through the best ways to dry lemon balm while preserving as much of its natural color, fragrance, and flavor as possible.
Why Dry Lemon Balm?
Drying is one of the oldest methods of preserving herbs, and for good reason.
When properly dried, lemon balm can be enjoyed for months after harvest.
Many people dry lemon balm to:
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Make herbal tea
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Blend with other herbs
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Create homemade gifts
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Use in bath products
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Infuse into oils
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Add to herbal sachets
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Keep a year-round supply on hand
If your garden produces more lemon balm than you can use fresh, drying is an excellent solution.
Harvest First, Then Dry
The quality of your dried herbs begins with proper harvesting.
For the best results:
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Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried.
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Choose healthy, vibrant stems.
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Harvest before flowering whenever possible.
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Use clean scissors or garden snips.
Freshly harvested stems contain the highest concentration of fragrance and flavor.
Should You Wash Lemon Balm?
That depends.
If your plants are clean and free from dust or insects, many gardeners simply give the stems a gentle shake before drying.
If washing is necessary:
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Rinse quickly with cool water.
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Pat dry with a clean towel.
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Allow the leaves to air dry completely before beginning the drying process.
Excess moisture can slow drying and increase the chance of mold.
Method 1: Air Drying
Air drying is one of the easiest and most traditional methods.
How to do it:
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Gather several stems into a small bundle.
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Secure them with string or a rubber band.
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Hang them upside down.
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Choose a warm, dry location with good airflow.
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Keep them out of direct sunlight.
Drying usually takes one to two weeks depending on humidity.
Best for:
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Large harvests
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Traditional herbal drying
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Gardeners with extra space
Method 2: Drying on Screens
Drying screens provide excellent airflow around the leaves.
Simply:
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Remove leaves from stems if desired.
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Spread them in a single layer.
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Turn them occasionally.
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Allow good air circulation.
This method helps preserve leaf shape and reduces the chance of mold.
Method 3: Using a Food Dehydrator
A food dehydrator offers the fastest and most consistent results.
Use the lowest temperature setting—generally around 95°F to 105°F (35°C to 40°C) for delicate herbs.
Dry until the leaves become crisp and crumble easily.
Avoid high temperatures, which can reduce aroma and flavor.
Method 4: Oven Drying
If you don't own a dehydrator, your oven can work in a pinch.
Set the oven to its lowest temperature.
Spread the leaves on a baking sheet in a single layer and leave the oven door slightly open to allow moisture to escape.
Check frequently, as herbs can dry—and over-dry—much faster in an oven.
This method is best reserved for small batches.
How Do You Know It's Dry?
Properly dried lemon balm should:
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Feel crisp.
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Crumble easily between your fingers.
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Have no soft or flexible areas.
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Retain a pleasant lemony fragrance.
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Still show some green color.
If the leaves feel cool, damp, or leathery, they need more drying time.
Removing the Leaves
Once completely dry:
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Strip the leaves from the stems.
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Discard thick stems.
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Leave the leaves whole if possible.
Whole leaves tend to retain their flavor longer than crushed herbs.
You can crumble them just before making tea or using them in recipes.
Storing Dried Lemon Balm
Proper storage is just as important as proper drying.
Store dried lemon balm in:
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Glass jars with tight-fitting lids
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Metal tea tins
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Airtight food-safe containers
Keep containers in a cool, dark, dry place away from:
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Sunlight
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Heat
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Moisture
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Humidity
When stored properly, dried lemon balm generally maintains good quality for about a year.
Can You Freeze Lemon Balm Instead?
Yes.
Freezing is another excellent preservation method.
Fresh leaves can be:
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Frozen whole
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Chopped before freezing
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Frozen in ice cube trays with water
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Frozen in olive oil for cooking
While freezing preserves freshness well, drying takes up less storage space and is ideal for tea.
What Can You Do with Dried Lemon Balm?
Once your harvest is preserved, the possibilities are endless.
Try using dried lemon balm in:
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Herbal tea
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Iced tea
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Homemade tea blends
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Bath soaks
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Herbal sachets
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Potpourri
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Herbal pillows
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Botanical crafts
It also blends beautifully with herbs like chamomile, peppermint, lavender, hibiscus, tulsi, and rose petals.
How We Preserve Lemon Balm at Calhoun Farmstead
Every growing season, we carefully harvest lemon balm from our garden while the leaves are fresh, fragrant, and full of character.
We dry the leaves slowly to help preserve their natural aroma before using them in our handcrafted loose-leaf Lemon Balm Tea. Taking the time to properly dry each harvest helps us capture the bright, refreshing qualities that make this herb such a favorite.
It's one of our favorite ways to enjoy a little bit of summer all year long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to dry lemon balm with the stems attached?
For air drying, yes. Hanging entire stems is one of the easiest methods.
Should dried lemon balm stay green?
Some fading is normal, but properly dried lemon balm usually retains much of its green color.
How long does dried lemon balm last?
For the best flavor and aroma, use it within about one year when stored in an airtight container.
Can I dry lemon balm in direct sunlight?
It's better to dry herbs out of direct sunlight, as strong light may reduce color, aroma, and flavor.
Should I crush the leaves before storing them?
No. Whole leaves generally keep their quality longer. Crush them just before use.
Final Thoughts
Drying lemon balm is one of the simplest ways to enjoy your garden throughout the year.
Whether you choose traditional air drying, drying screens, a dehydrator, or your oven, preserving this fragrant herb allows you to enjoy homemade teas, herbal blends, and botanical projects long after the last summer harvest.
With just a little time and care, your lemon balm harvest can continue bringing fresh herbal flavor to your home for months to come.
Explore Related Products
Interested in incorporating lemon balm into your daily routine? Explore our collection of handcrafted products inspired by traditional herbal practices and natural living. From soothing herbal teas to botanical body care, each product is thoughtfully crafted in small batches using quality ingredients and a love for simple, nature-inspired wellness.
Recommended Products & Resources
Growing your herbal knowledge is one of the best investments you can make. Whether you're planting your first herb garden, learning how to preserve your harvest, or exploring traditional herbal practices, these books and tools can help you continue your journey.
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Continue Your Lemon Balm Journey
If you enjoyed learning about lemon balm, explore more articles in our complete Lemon Balm educational series.
Growing Lemon Balm
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Lemon Balm: Benefits, Uses, Growing Tips, Recipes, and More
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How to Grow Lemon Balm
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Is Lemon Balm Easy to Grow?
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Does Lemon Balm Come Back Every Year?
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Does Lemon Balm Spread?
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Companion Plants for Lemon Balm
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Why Bees Love Lemon Balm
Harvesting & Preserving
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When to Harvest Lemon Balm
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How to Dry Lemon Balm
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Fresh vs. Dried Lemon Balm
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How to Store Dried Lemon Balm
Recipes & Everyday Uses
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How to Make Lemon Balm Tea
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Lemon Balm Lemonade Recipe
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Lemon Balm Simple Syrup
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Creative Ways to Use Fresh Lemon Balm
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Herbs That Pair Well with Lemon Balm
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