Melissa is native to southern Europe and northern Africa. It has bright green, crinkled leaves with a lemon-like odour. The plant grows about two feet tall with branching stems. It flourishes in rich, moist soil and prefers moderate temperatures. During the summer, the plant should be kept at temperatures below 35 °C. Beyond 38°Cthere is a possibility that the leaves of the plant may lose colour. They are also prone to curling and in some cases the plant can wilt and become dry. The market for melissa oil is stable. But the current weather conditions are not favourable for a good harvest. Yield from the first cut is way below expectations due to the hot weather. Oil prices in the market barely cover production costs. Low yield and market price have resulted in many melissa farms opting for other crops.