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Tall Melilot

Melilotus altissimus
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Melilotus altissimus (Tall Melilot) — botanical photograph
Pl. E2E3 — Melilotus altissimus
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I

Overview

Tall Melilot (Melilotus altissimus) is a biennial or perennial forb/herb native to Central and Eastern Europe, with a range extending from the Balkans to Scandinavia. Known for its edible leaves, shoots, and seedpods, this plant thrives in light, medium, and heavy soils, preferring a pH of 7–7.5. It is commonly found in various European countries including Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, and Ukraine. One distinctive feature of Tall Melilot is its height, reaching up to 1.2 meters, making it a noticeable presence in the landscape. Its adaptability and light-loving nature make it suitable for gardens or natural areas where it can contribute both ornamental value and culinary interest.

Quick answers

What is Tall Melilot?

Tall Melilot (Melilotus altissimus) is a biennial or perennial forb/herb native to Central and Eastern Europe, with a range extending from the Balkans to Scandinavia. Known for its edible leaves, shoots, and seedpods, this plant thrives in light, medium, and heavy soils, preferring a pH of 7–7.

What is Tall Melilot used for?

Traditionally used for stress & anxiety. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.

Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Tall Melilot
Jump to full evidence →
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
II

Benefits & evidence

1 claim · traditional-use context
Traditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
  • Traditional-use note: Tall Melilot appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.

    Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.

IV·b

Mixology suggestions

1 draft
Editorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Tall Melilot support blend
general
tea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Tall Melilot thrives in light to medium and heavy soils with a pH of 7-7.5, making it adaptable but preferring well-drained conditions. It is drought-tolerant yet benefits from moist soil, especially during the growing season. This forb/herb requires full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. Tall Melilot can be propagated through seeds or division and grows up to 1.2 meters tall. Harvest its edible parts—leaves, seedpods, and shoots—for culinary use. Given its hardy nature in temperate regions, it is well-suited for gardens across many European climates.
Light
8/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Biennial, Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
1.2 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
For first-time growers

How to grow Tall Melilot for the first time

8steps

Start with Tall Melilot as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or seedlings, a trowel, and a watering can.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost or in early fall for better root development.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Ensure soil is well-draining with a pH of 7–7.5, and prepare containers at least 30 cm deep.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds 1-2 cm deep, spacing them about 30 cm apart; or transplant seedlings into the garden.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Provide light watering during dry spells, mulch around plants to retain moisture, and remove any weeds.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune back after flowering to encourage new growth and prevent self-seeding. Harvest leaves and shoots as needed for culinary use.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, neglecting to mulch, and not providing enough light.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:LeavesSeedpodShoots
Edible uses: Condiment
Other uses:Nitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

23 native · 8 introduced
Distribution across1 continent· 23 native· 8 introduced
Europe22 regions
native (19)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumDenmarkFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraine
introduced (3)IrelandRussiaUnited Kingdom
Broader regions
native:Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia
introduced:Baltic States, Illinois, New York, Wisconsin
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Melilotus altissimus (Tall Melilot) — botanical photograph
Tall Melilot (Melilotus altissimus)
X

See also

8 related
XI

Explore further

Companion planting
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XII

About this entry

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Back to the cataloguePlant id · e2e3780b-b697-4081-a64f-7dd1c4040d4c
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