Melianthus

( mel - ee - ANTH - us )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of herbaceous plants is native to elevated grassland areas in South Africa. They are commonly called 'Honey Flowers' in reference to the copious amounts of sweet nectar they produce. Leaves are very large and pinnate with serrated edges. Racemes of flowers rise straight up out of the foliage clump. These plants prefer full sun exposure (with some dappled afternoon shade in warm climates) and need little to regular water to perform well in the garden. Use these plants massed together in outer areas of the garden, as members of pollinator gardens, to add a tropical feel to pool areas, or simply as specimen plants in the landscape. Take care when planting these unusual plants in your landscape, as the plant contains toxic compounds. Keep away from children and pets (including horses).

Melianthus Species and Varietals

The genus Melianthus includes six species and is a member of the plant family Francoaceae. The plants in this genus are closely related to Francoa (Bridal Wreath), Geranium (True Geranium), and Pelargonium (Geranium). Melianthus shrubs grow well in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset climate zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Melianthus comosus (Honey Flower, Kruidjie-Roer-My-Nie, Tufted Honeyflower, Crown Honeyflower, Touch-Me-Not)
These plants are native to dry regions in southern Africa, and produce an unpleasant smell when bruised or cut. Flowers produce copious amounts of black nectar, and are green to pale pink in color. These plants reach up to 5 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide at maturity. They form clumps over time. This species is considered invasive in Australia.

Melianthus major (Giant Honey Flower, Kruidjie-Roer-My-Nie, Touch-Me-Not, Honey Bush)
this species of evergreen shrub needs partial shade in warmer areas and little to regular water. It is native to South Africa and reaches 6-12 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. These shrubs are grown for their attractive foliage and unusual flowers. Foliage is grey-green and stinks when brushed against or bruised. Flowers are reddish brown and are borne on spikes in late winter and early spring. Great in most soils. This species is considered invasive in New Zealand, Australia, and California.

Caring for Melianthus

Take care when planting these unusual plants in your landscape, as the plant contains toxic compounds. Keep away from children and pets (including horses). Before planting Honey Bush, consider installing a root barrier 24 to 30 inches deep to prevent them from aggressively spreading. Plant your Honey Bush in partial to full sun conditions; these plants can tolerate some shade, but foliage color will be better the more sun they get. They should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day, with some afternoon shade in warmer climates to ensure leaves do not burn. Ensure that soil is well-draining, loamy, and rich in organic matter. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. They can grow in acid, neutral, or alkaline soil. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. To get a taller shrub, choose and stake a few stems, and for a more bulky sprawling plant, simply shorten some stems in early spring before new growth begins to emerge. These plants in cooler areas will die to the ground in wintertime, but will regrow completely the following spring when temperatures begin to warm again. Remove damaged or yellowing foliage as it appears to maintain a tidy appearance. Prune spent flower stalks after flowering (although if you would like to collect seed, leave these spent blooms on the plant). These plants are considered long-lived perennial shrubs, able to thrive in the garden for decades with proper care.

Propagation

Melianthus can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Melianthus by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods are pretty easy to spot, they're light brown and dry, left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will all split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Melianthus major seeds have a hard coating that protects them, but this coating also makes it a little difficult to get them to germinate. We can help the process along by scarifying them with sandpaper (or simply rubbing them against an abrasive surface). Do this with as many seeds as you can; they will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics. The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting shrub you want. Place your seeds in lukewarm water for six hours.
  4. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 3-4 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  5. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
 
Propagating Melianthus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost, and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
  1. Dawn your protective gear and gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the tuber roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
  2. Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick tuberous section.
  3. Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided tubers about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly. 
  4. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.
Melianthus seeds are contained inside of pods left behind after flowers fade. Once they look something like the photo above, they can be taken off the plant and be stored or sown.
Melianthus seeds are small and glossy black.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. These shrubs are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but it is still a good practice to look out for common garden issues, such as:
  • Aphids
  • Slugs
  • Snails
For more information on these issues, including how to solve them, see the links below:
​

Gallery

Even when not in bloom, these shrubs provide a tropical, lush look in gardens.
These interesting flowers can serve as real conversation starters.
Melianthus plants can also serve as cover plants for fences and other outdoor eyesores.

Videos

All about Honey Bush!
These plants can be perennial additions to the garden, resprouting new growth after winter's chill.

Resources

Wikipedia: Melianthus
Melianthus major
Wikipedia: Melianthus major
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 440, Melianthus major (Honey Bush)