Melicytus crassifolius

RHS Plant Profile
thick-leaved mahoe

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Melicytus crassifolius?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
thick-leaved mahoe RHS

Other common names

thick-leaved porcupine plant

Synonyms

Hymenanthera crassifolia

Shrubs
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
2 Suppliers

A densely twiggy, sometimes spiny, shrub with small, oval ,dark green, leathery leaves. Tiny, yellow flowers are followed by white berries, usually with purple patches, 5mm across on female plants

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Violaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Melicytus are evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubs with sweetly fragrant leaves. The small male and female flowers are usually borne on separate plants and the females can go on to produce showy berries
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
New Zealand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist, well-drained soil in an open, sunny position, with protection from cold, drying winds. Needs a long, hot summer to flower and fruit well

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 8 or Pruning group 9

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free