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Melinjo

Gnetum gnemon
Edible value5Medicinal value3Other uses5
Shrub12.5×7.5 mzone 9–11full shade

Will it grow where I live?

Melinjo is not winter-hardy in Central Europe (zone 9): outdoors from spring to autumn only, otherwise a container plant overwintered frost-free. The summer heat it needs to ripen is out of reach outdoors in Central Europe – greenhouse or conservatory.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Gnetaceae
Habit
Shrub
Height
12.5 m
Spread
7.5 m
Growth
medium
Lifespan
60 years
First yield
after 6 years
Hardiness
zone 9–11
Shade tolerance
full shade
Soil
Silt, Loam
Soil moisture
semi-dry – very moist
pH
5.5 – 7
evergreen

Uses

Edible5 of 10
Medicinal3 of 10
Other uses5 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Melinjo: how big does it get?

Melinjo (Gnetum gnemon) grows as a Shrub and reaches roughly 12.5 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 7.5 m. Growth is medium.

Melinjo: what site does it need?

Melinjo tolerates full shade. Suitable soils are Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 5.5 and 7.

Melinjo: is it hardy?

Melinjo is listed as hardy in zone 9–11 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Melinjo: will it grow in Central Europe?

Melinjo is not winter-hardy in Central Europe (zone 9): outdoors from spring to autumn only, otherwise a container plant overwintered frost-free. The summer heat it needs to ripen is out of reach outdoors in Central Europe – greenhouse or conservatory.

Melinjo: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Melinjo. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Melinjo: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 5/10, Medicinal 3/10, Other uses 5/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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All data without warranty. Site data and texts from the Permaplans database.

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