PlantFiles: Honey Bush
Melianthus major

Attractive serrated silver-green arching foliage on upright stems. The aroma of peanut-butter is a neat novelty. Prefers well-drained soil but enjoys a bit of water in the summer. Planted against a sunny wall, can usually expect it to survive winter. Seed propagation is very easy.

This plant is so amazing! I love it alot, i planted it in my yard a few months back from a one gallon, it really hasnt grown much, but i noticed today that is started to shoot up new stems from the ground, i think it will be a nice bush when it fills in. I love the flower alot, it is very very nice and eye catching, the foliage is also eye catching..

Edgewood, Washington Got my plant from Heronswood nursery. It grew like crazy this past summer. I have it in a container now, am giving it protection form the extreme cold and wind. Possible that in the Spring will plant it in the ground near my hardy banana's .It so far has survived down to 24 degrees. Have been told to cut it down in the winter to get a bushier plant in the Spring, haven't done so yet. Thinking about trying to root the cuttings.

There are 6 species of Melianthus, all of which are found in South Africa.

Kruidjie-roer-my-nie, which means herb-touch-me-not, is a well known plant in the south western Cape where it occurs naturally; usually along streams and roadside ditches.

The long flower-spikes grow out from the top of the stems in spring, rusty red flowers rise up above the leaves, followed by pale green, bladder-like pods containing the shiny black seeds.

In its native habitat it is used to make poultices and decoctions that are applied directly to wounds, bruises, backache and rheumatic joints.

Easy, fast growing shrub, prune for shape, attractive foliage, prefers sun with good drainage.