When to plant lemon balm in Illinois
Illinois spans USDA zones 5a–7a, so the right time to plant lemon balm shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about April 4 in Granite City to May 1 in McHenry — below are local dates for 226 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 6a | April 10 | November 5 | April 10 – April 24 |
| Aurora | 5b | April 19 | October 23 | April 19 – May 3 |
| Naperville | 5b | April 28 | October 16 | April 28 – May 12 |
| Joliet | 5b | April 19 | October 25 | April 19 – May 3 |
| Rockford | 5b | April 24 | October 17 | April 24 – May 8 |
| Elgin | 5b | April 26 | October 18 | April 26 – May 10 |
| Springfield | 6a | April 15 | October 22 | April 15 – April 29 |
| Peoria | 6a | April 16 | October 23 | April 16 – April 30 |
Lemon Balm in Illinois: FAQ
When can I plant lemon balm in Illinois?
Across Illinois, the time to transplant lemon balm spans roughly April 4 in Granite City to May 1 in McHenry, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the lemon balm planting date vary across Illinois?
Yes. Illinois publishes 226 cities with their own frost dates, so the right lemon balm planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
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