Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper) Aframomum melegueta
Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper) (Aframomum melegueta) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Zingiberaceae family, native to West African forest zone (Sierra Leone to Cameroon). It grows 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) tall and 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 12 °C (54 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
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Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper) at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Mature height | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 12 °C (54 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–156 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: seeds (peppery spice), fruit pulp (sweet-sour) |
| Native to | West African forest zone (Sierra Leone to Cameroon) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇬 Nigeria |
Is Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper)
- How far apart should I plant Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper)?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper)?
- It tolerates about 12 °C (54 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper) flower?
- About 104–156 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Grains of paradise (melegueta pepper). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PROTA4U: Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, PROTA Foundation, Wageningen
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- Leafy ginger-like canes; trumpet flowers at ground level ripen into red pods full of small, hot, aromatic seeds. A medieval European luxury spice; the West African coast it came from was called the Grain Coast.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Ginger Zingiber officinale
- Turmeric Curcuma longa
- Galangal Alpinia galanga
- Torch ginger Etlingera elatior
- Shell ginger Alpinia zerumbet
- Red ginger Alpinia purpurata
- Beehive ginger Zingiber spectabile
- Siam tulip Curcuma alismatifolia