Tall Melilot
Melilotus altissimus
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. E2E3 — Melilotus altissimus
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IOverview
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
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- 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·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Tall Melilot support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
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
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, a trowel, and a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in early fall for better root development.
- 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
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1-2 cm deep, spacing them about 30 cm apart; or transplant seedlings into the garden.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide light watering during dry spells, mulch around plants to retain moisture, and remove any weeds.
- 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
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, neglecting to mulch, and not providing enough light.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesSeedpodShoots
Edible uses: Condiment
Other uses:Nitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
23 native · 7 introduced
Distribution
23 native · 7 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 23 native· 7 introduced
Europe21 regions
native (19)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumDenmarkFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraine
introduced (2)IrelandRussia
Broader regions
native:Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia
introduced:Baltic States, Illinois, New York, Wisconsin
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · e2e3780b-b697-4081-a64f-7dd1c4040d4c
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