Melianthus comosus

crown honeyflower
Clumping shrub has serrated green-grey leaves and small red flowers. Tropical look with little water. Similar, but smaller than Melianthus major. Prune to keep tidy and encourage new growth.
height 4–6ft
width 4–6ft
tolerates Cold, Drought, Heat
water
needs		 Low
water
info		 Water this plant infrequently, when the top two inches or so of soil feel dry. Usually this will mean every week or two in dry weather. If you establish this pattern over several years, then you can cut back to watering every four to six weeks in dry weather. Use drippers, emitters, or a slow stream of water so that it does not run off; allow the water to trickle all the way down through the deepest layers of soil. This plant will look more lush if given water every two to four weeks during dry weather once established. In a pot slowly water the entire surface until water comes out of the bottom of your pot.
hardy
to		 20F
exposure Full Shade – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Planting Mix, In Pots: Potting Soil, Tolerates Heavy Soil, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing All Purpose
origin South Africa
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 8, 9, 13–24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

OUTDOOR EXPOSURE GUIDE

Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.

Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams, but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.

Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

Responds well to a hard pruning, even to the ground. This is best done in late spring.

Special Interest

This plant produces a musty smell when rubbed between your fingers, which is the reason it is called ‘touch me not herb’ (kruidjie roer my nie) in Africans, the hybrid language of South Africa, where this plant is from.

Flowers are rich in nectar, attracting hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. This is evident in the genus name Melianthus, which comes from the greek words ‘meli’ meaning honey and ‘anthos’ meaning flower.