How to grow bergamot?

Steps

Purchase bergamot seeds. There are several types of bergamot, with the most common one being the wild bergamot ( M. fistula) and lemon bergamot ( M. citriodora ). Decide where to grow it. Bergamot likes to grow in a sunny position and the soil needs to be rich and well-drained. Plant the seeds or seedlings in spring. Sow seeds shallowly and cover lightly in a seed raising tray. Thin out the seedlings or transplant them to 18″ apart. They are vigorous growers and will spread a lot.
Add mulch to the herb in spring.

One query we ran across in our research was “How do you grow bergamot from seed?”.

Bergamot likes to grow in a sunny position and the soil needs to be rich and well-drained. It will tolerate a little shade. Plant the seeds or seedlings in spring. Sow seeds shallowly and cover lightly in a seed raising tray .

Where does bergamot grow?

More than 90% of bergamot is grown in the province of Reggio di Calabria in Southern Italy . However, this bitter citrus can also be found in Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Mauritius, Turkey, the Ivory Coast, South-East Asia, the South of France and even other parts of Italy.

Bergamot oranges require growing conditions that are similar to other citrus fruit. If you can grow naval oranges, lemons or limes, you can likely also grow bergamot oranges .

Where does bergamot grow in Italy?

Citrus bergamot is commercially grown in southern Calabria (province of Reggio), southern Italy. It is also grown in southern France and in Côte d’Ivoire for the essential oil and in Antalya in southern Turkey for its marmalade.

We learned the fruit is not generally grown for juice consumption. However, in Mauritius where it is grown on a small-scale basis , it is largely consumed as juice by the locals. One hundred bergamot oranges yield about three ounces (85g) of bergamot oil .

Does wild bergamot reseed itself?

As wild bergamot is a member of the mint family, this herb easily reseeds itself as an herbaceous plant with hardy square-shaped stems and 4” oval leaves. In drier climates, mulch can help hold moisture in the soil for longer and provides rich nutrients to bergamot plants.

Is bergamot a perennial or annual?

Wild Bergamot is a perennial bush that can reach heights of 5 feet or more, and will show distinct, pale purple blooms that are a favorite of many types of pollinators, especially hummingbirds. Wild Bergamot is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, but will do best with rich, loamy, fertile soil.

How often do you divide bergamot seeds?

Spacing or division of wild bergamot should take place every 2-3 years to maintain a healthy wildflower crop. For harvesting bergamot seeds, allow the plant to flower and reach full maturity before collecting ripe bee balm seeds.