Bee balm is a summer standout with its bright blooms and its natural ability to draw in bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
It is a favorite in pollinator gardens and cottage landscapes, and June is when the plant really begins to show its strength.
With just a bit of attention this month, you can help bee balm reach its full potential.
A few simple steps will keep the plant flowering longer, reduce common problems, and improve its overall appearance through the season.
Trim Back Faded Flowers to Boost Blooms
As bee balm enters its blooming phase in June, the first round of flowers can begin to fade even while new buds are forming.
The plant naturally puts energy into producing seeds once flowers finish blooming, but this slows down new bud development.
Removing these spent flowers shifts the plant’s focus back to growing and forming new blooms.
This practice, called deadheading, is one of the easiest ways to keep bee balm flowering for weeks.
Check your plant every few days, especially in sunny weather when blooms open and fade more quickly.
Look for petals that are starting to turn brown, dry out, or droop. When you spot a spent bloom, use garden scissors or your fingers to snip just above the nearest set of healthy leaves.
Doing this regularly encourages the plant to produce new side shoots that can bloom again later in the summer.
This also keeps the plant compact and bushy, rather than tall and leggy. Even if you miss a few flowers, trimming them when you notice still benefits the plant.
It improves airflow between stems, reduces the chance of mildew, and keeps your garden looking neat.
Many gardeners who deadhead their bee balm often are rewarded with an extended bloom time well into July and sometimes even early August.
The sooner you start this habit in June, the more likely you are to enjoy a long-lasting, vibrant display.
Water Deep and Keep the Leaves Dry
Bee balm prefers evenly moist soil, and during June, it needs a steady watering routine to support its rapid growth and bloom production.
However, this plant does not like soggy conditions and can develop root rot or fungal problems if overwatered.
Understanding how and when to water is one of the most important parts of June care.
Start by checking your soil moisture regularly. Use your finger to feel the top inch or two of soil.
If it feels dry, it is time to water. If it still feels damp, wait another day or two.
Younger plants or those recently transplanted in spring may need more frequent watering because their roots are still shallow.
Established plants with deeper root systems tend to be more resilient, often needing water just once or twice a week, depending on your local weather.
When you water, do so slowly and deeply. Your goal is to soak the soil about six inches down, which encourages roots to grow deeper and makes the plant more drought-tolerant.
Shallow, quick watering only wets the surface, which can lead to weaker roots and faster drying.
Always water at the base of the plant rather than spraying from above. Getting the leaves wet, especially late in the day, increases the risk of powdery mildew.
Early morning watering is ideal. It gives the plant time to absorb moisture before the day heats up and allows any splashes on leaves to dry off quickly.
Adding mulch in June is another helpful step. A layer of straw, bark, or leaf mulch around the base holds in moisture, reduces weed competition, and keeps the soil temperature more stable.
Keep the mulch a couple of inches away from the stems to avoid trapping moisture too close to the base.
Proper watering now keeps your bee balm strong, hydrated, and less prone to stress when summer heat arrives in full.
Watch for Powdery Mildew Before It Spreads
Powdery mildew is a common issue for bee balm, especially once June temperatures rise and humidity begins to build.
This fungal disease shows up as a white or gray powdery coating on the leaves and stems, often starting on lower foliage and working its way upward.
While it rarely kills the plant, it weakens it and can greatly reduce blooming and vigor.
In many gardens, the conditions in June create the perfect setup for mildew, so early prevention is key.
Start by creating more space between plants. If your bee balm is surrounded by other flowers or is part of a large clump, airflow may be restricted.
Carefully trim or thin nearby plants or overlapping stems to give the bee balm more room to breathe.
This simple step reduces how long water stays on the leaves after dew or rain.
You should also avoid watering in the evening. Nighttime moisture clings to leaves longer, and combined with warm temperatures, it encourages mildew to develop.
If you start to see signs of mildew, act right away. Trim off any infected leaves and dispose of them in the trash to prevent spores from spreading.
Avoid composting mildew-covered leaves. You can treat mild cases by spraying the plant with a solution of one tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of dish soap mixed into a quart of water.
Spray this mixture on both sides of the leaves, early in the day, every few days until the mildew fades.
Some gardeners use diluted milk sprays or organic fungicides for more persistent cases.
Preventing mildew in June not only helps this year’s plant but also reduces the chances of the fungus overwintering and returning next season.
Support Tall Stems Before They Lean or Break
Bee balm varieties can grow anywhere from two to four feet tall, depending on the type and the conditions in your garden.
In June, when the plant begins its fastest growth, you may notice some stems leaning or sagging under the weight of new blooms.
This is especially common after a heavy rain or in windy spots. Supporting the plant before this happens helps prevent broken stems and keeps the plant looking its best.
The easiest way to support bee balm is with small garden stakes or bamboo poles placed a few inches away from the base.
You can also use ring-style plant supports or cages, especially for large or top-heavy varieties.
Tie the stems loosely to the support using soft plant ties, cloth strips, or twine. Make sure the ties are not tight, as stems need room to move slightly with the wind.
Supporting tall stems not only improves appearance but also prevents contact between the flowers and the soil, which reduces disease risk.
It also helps pollinators access blooms more easily since upright stems keep the flowers open and visible.
Plants growing in part shade may become even taller as they stretch toward the light, so they are more likely to need extra support.
Keep an eye on how your bee balm grows through June and adjust supports as needed. Adding support now saves time and trouble later, and helps the plant bloom to its fullest without slumping or snapping.
Thin Crowded Clumps to Improve Growth
Bee balm spreads through underground rhizomes, and over time, it often forms thick clumps that can become too crowded.
If your plant has been in place for more than a couple of years, you may notice fewer flowers, bare spots in the center, or general thinning at the base.
June is a good time to thin out some of the new shoots or divide parts of the plant to give it more room to grow.
Start by cutting out a few of the outer stems at soil level, especially if they are growing in toward the middle of the plant or overlapping too closely.
This improves airflow and sunlight exposure, which both help reduce mildew and encourage blooming.
If you notice a large clump that seems overly tight or is producing smaller-than-usual blooms, you can dig up a section and transplant it elsewhere.
Choose a cooler day or wait until late afternoon so the plant does not go into shock. Replant the divided piece in a new spot with well-draining soil and full sun, then water it deeply and provide some temporary shade.
Thinning and dividing not only give the original plant a boost but also let you multiply your bee balm without buying more.
Regular thinning every few years keeps the plant healthy, reduces the chance of disease, and ensures better flower production.
Doing this in June helps redirect energy into strong growth and fuller blooms as the season progresses.
Final Thoughts
June is the month when bee balm truly comes to life. With the right care, it becomes one of the garden’s most rewarding plants.
Support tall stems before they fall, and thin crowded areas to allow air and light to flow through.
These steps take just a little time but go a long way toward helping your bee balm thrive through the rest of summer.
It is a plant that gives a lot, and June is your chance to give it what it needs most.