Within two vegetation periods, melissas from 17 European regions and the inland cultivar Citra were examined. Melissas differed in height, foliage, and essential oil content. In the cultivating conditions under study, two collections were possible in one year. In both experimental years at the stage just before blooming, or at the onset of blooming, plants 60–80 cm in height prevailed in the set. The share of leaves in the tops was 35–70 %. In the second repeated harvest, plants with newly formed sprouts reached a height of 15–35 cm and had the best foliage (60–95 %). The essential oil content in the leaves at the stage just prior to blooming, or at the onset of blooming, ranged from 0.06 to 0.16% (V/m), and the maximal essential oil content was in the plants from the second harvest (0.09–0.45 %). The cultivar Citra was characterized by medium height (75–80 cm), stable values of foliage (1 st harvest 55–60 %, 2 nd harvest 70–80 %), and essential oil content (1 st harvest 0.13 %, 2 nd harvest 0.23–0.27 %).

        Key words: Melissa officinalis – Melissae folium – essential oil