Lemon Balm is one of those timeless herbs that brings calm, scent, and vitality into any garden or home. At TOMs FLOWer CLUB, you’ll find organically grown Lemon Balm plants – healthy, strong, and ready to become a refreshing part of your daily rituals.

What is Lemon Balm?

Melissa officinalis, commonly known as Lemon Balm, is a perennial herb from the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to the Mediterranean region. It is prized for its fresh, lemony fragrance, soft green leaves, and gentle medicinal qualities. Traditionally used for its calming effects, Lemon Balm is also a fantastic addition to herbal teas, natural remedies, and bee-friendly gardens.

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5 reasons why Lemon Balm is a must-have herb:

1. Naturally calming
   Lemon Balm is widely used to support relaxation, ease anxiety, and promote restful sleep. A cup of tea made from its leaves is perfect after a long day.

2. Pollinator friendly
   Its delicate white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. A great way to support biodiversity in your outdoor space.

3. Culinary versatility
   The leaves are edible and add a citrusy twist to teas, salads, desserts, and infused waters.

4. Hardy and easy to grow
   Lemon Balm is a low-maintenance perennial herb that comes back every year. Once established, it thrives with minimal care.

5. Perfect for pots, beds, and balconies
   Whether you have a large garden, a balcony, or a sunny kitchen windowsill, Lemon Balm adapts easily and grows happily in containers or garden soil.

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Care tips for growing Lemon Balm:

• Location: sunny to semi-shady

• Soil: loose, well-draining, nutrient-rich (our plants are potted in self-mixed organic soil)

• Water: regular watering, avoiding waterlogging

• Harvest: pick leaves before flowering for the strongest aroma

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Final thoughts

Lemon Balm is more than just a fragrant herb – it’s a beautiful, useful, and uplifting addition to your home and lifestyle. With its bright green leaves, refreshing scent, and wellness benefits, it deserves a spot in every herbal garden or balcony planter.

You can now order your organically grown Lemon Balm plant at TOMs FLOWer CLUB. Grown with care and without over-fertilisation, each plant is delivered in the size shown, healthy, and ready to thrive under your care.

Among orchid lovers, Cattleya intermedia stands out as a timeless treasure. With its elegant, often lilac to lavender-toned blooms and subtle fragrance, this epiphytic orchid species brings a touch of tropical poetry into any plant collection. At TOMs FLOWer CLUB, we proudly offer organically cultivated Cattleya intermedia plants – grown with patience, without over-fertilisation, and with an eye for long-lasting health and charm.

Origin and Natural Habitat

Native to Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, Cattleya intermedia thrives in semi-humid forests, where it grows as an epiphyte – clinging to trees, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air and surrounding debris. These environmental cues can help us understand the needs of the plant in cultivation.

Appearance and Flowering

Cattleya intermedia is known for:

• Slender pseudobulbs with leathery, lance-shaped leaves

• Fragrant, 8–12 cm wide blooms, often in shades of lilac, rose, or soft lavender

• A distinct lip (labellum) that often contrasts beautifully in color and form

• A blooming period that typically occurs in spring to early summer, lasting around 2–4 weeks

Growing Tips for Cattleya intermedia

Here’s how to keep your Cattleya happy and blooming:

1. Light

• Prefers bright, indirect light – similar to a spot near an east or south-facing window.

• Avoid direct midday sun to prevent leaf burn.

2. Watering

• Let the potting medium dry slightly between waterings.

• Water thoroughly, allowing excess to drain.

• Use rainwater or low-mineral water when possible.

3. Humidity

• Enjoys humidity around 50–70%.

• In drier indoor environments, occasional misting or a humidity tray helps.

4. Air Circulation

• Good airflow prevents fungal issues and mimics its natural forest habitat.

5. Temperature

• Thrives in daytime temperatures of 20–28°C, with a slight nighttime drop.

• Protect from cold drafts or temperatures below 12°C.

Potting and Substrate

As an epiphyte, Cattleya intermedia prefers a very well-drained orchid mix – such as pine bark, perlite, and a little charcoal. At TOMs FLOWer CLUB, we use a hand-mixed organic orchid substrate tailored for long-term health.

Repot every 2–3 years or when the substrate begins to break down. Repotting is best done after blooming, when new roots begin to grow. Always use a pot that allows for airflow and drainage.

Fertilisation

We recommend fertilising lightly but regularly during the growing season (spring to summer). At TOMs FLOWer CLUB, we promote organic slow-release nutrients to support steady growth without overfeeding.

Why Choose Cattleya intermedia?

• One of the most elegant species orchids, not just a hybrid

• A fragrant and long-lasting bloomer

• Represents a link to the historical roots of orchid cultivation

• Easy to grow once its basic needs are met – ideal for beginners and collectors alike

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Explore our collection of slow-grown, organically nurtured orchids at TOMs FLOWer CLUB, including your future Cattleya intermedia companion. Every plant is sent with care and passion – just as it was grown.

At TOMs FLOWer CLUB, we believe that every plant deserves the best care – and that includes knowing when and how to repot your Cymbidium orchid. These elegant orchids with porcelain-like blooms can live for decades and reward you with flowers year after year – but only if their roots are happy. Here's how to make repotting a smooth and successful experience for both you and your orchid.

Why Should You Repot Cymbidium Orchids?

Unlike some houseplants, Cymbidiums don’t like to be disturbed too often. However, every 2 to 3 years, their pot becomes crowded, and the orchid mix starts to break down. This leads to:

• Poor drainage

• Root rot risk

• Reduced airflow around the roots

• Fewer or smaller blooms

Repotting refreshes their environment and gives them the space and nutrients they need to continue growing vigorously and blooming beautifully.

When Is the Best Time to Repot?

The ideal time to repot a Cymbidium is:

• After flowering, in late spring or early summer

• When you see new shoots starting to grow

• If the potting medium smells sour or the roots are crawling out of the pot

• After dividing a large “plant family” into individual or smaller clumps

Avoid repotting while the plant is actively blooming or in winter dormancy.

What You’ll Need

• A slightly larger pot (with good drainage holes)

• Fresh orchid mix (we use an airy blend specially suited for Cymbidiums at TOMs FLOWer CLUB)

• Clean scissors or pruning shears

• Rainwater or filtered water for post-repotting care

• Optional: gloves and cinnamon powder (natural fungicide)

Step-by-Step: How to Repot Your Cymbidium Orchid

1. Gently remove the plant from its pot. If it’s root-bound, squeeze the sides of the pot or tap it gently.

2. Shake off or rinse away old potting mix from the roots.

3. Trim dead or rotting roots using sterile scissors.

4. If your plant has many shoots, you can divide it – ensuring each section has at least 3–4 pseudobulbs and healthy roots.

5. Place a layer of fresh substrate in the new pot.

6. Position the plant slightly off-center (this allows room for new growth).

7. Fill around the roots with fresh orchid mix, gently pressing but not compacting.

8. Water thoroughly and keep in a shaded location for a few days to help it recover.

Aftercare Tips

• Avoid direct sunlight for 1–2 weeks post-repotting

• Mist the leaves and surface lightly (especially if humidity is low)

• Do not fertilize immediately – wait until new roots are clearly growing

• Be patient: Cymbidiums may skip blooming the season after repotting but come back stronger

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma Pentaphyllum), also known as the "herb of immortality," is an extraordinary climbing plant with impressive health benefits. Highly valued in Asia for centuries, it only gained significant scientific attention in the 1970s when researchers discovered that people in certain Chinese provinces who regularly consumed Jiaogulan tended to live particularly long and healthy lives. Today, the plant is growing in popularity worldwide – and for good reason!

Origin and Botanical Classification

Jiaogulan belongs to the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae) and is native to China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and the entire Malaysian region. The plant climbs up shrubs and trees, forming dense green carpets. Its five-part, fresh green leaves have earned it the nickname "Five-Leaf Ginseng."

Growth and Care

Jiaogulan is a perennial, fast-growing herbaceous vine that can reach up to three meters in height. Although it is hardy down to approximately -15 °C, its aerial parts die back in autumn but sprout again in spring. The plant prefers humus-rich, nutrient-dense soil, should be watered regularly, and thrives best in indirect light or partial shade.

Jiaogulan can be grown in gardens as well as in pots or hanging baskets. For potted cultivation, a container of at least five liters in volume is recommended to allow for optimal development. If overwintered at temperatures between 15-20 °C, fresh leaves can be harvested year-round.

Health Benefits of Jiaogulan

The list of health benefits associated with this unique plant is extensive. Jiaogulan contains saponins that are similar or even identical to those found in ginseng, and it has been shown to:

• Strengthen the immune system

• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels

• Reduce stress and support metabolism

• Help prevent cardiovascular diseases

• Increase energy and vitality

• Regulate blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for diabetics

Additionally, Jiaogulan is known to aid with sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, and is regarded as a natural anti-aging remedy. Scientific studies continue to confirm its positive effects, and there are hardly any known side effects – the only exception being that sensitive individuals may experience mild nausea when consuming it on an empty stomach.

Uses and Enjoyment of Jiaogulan

Jiaogulan can be enjoyed in various ways:

• As tea: Pour 250 ml of hot water over one teaspoon of fresh or dried leaves, let steep for 3-5 minutes, and enjoy. The taste is mildly sweet and reminiscent of ginseng.

• As a fresh culinary herb: Young shoots and leaves can be added to salads, smoothies, or exotic dishes – a healthy treat with a pleasant aroma.

Get Your Own Herb of Immortality Now!

At TOMs FLOWer CLUB, you can purchase your own Jiaogulan plant – robust, organically grown, and ready to enhance your home or garden. Whether as a decorative climbing plant or a revitalizing medicinal herb, this fascinating plant is truly an all-rounder.

Order your own Jiaogulan now from TOMs FLOWer CLUB and experience the extraordinary benefits of this miracle plant!