Oyster Nut Plant Care
Telfairia pedata Hook.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Telfairia pedata, commonly known as oysternut, queen's nut, Zanzibar oilvine, kweme or kulekula, is a dioecious African liana which can grow up to 30 metres long, having purple-pink fringed flowers, and very large, many-seeded, drooping, ellipsoid berries which can weigh up to 15 kg. It is valuable for having edible fruit, seeds and oil.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Oyster Nut?
Water Oyster Nut every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Oyster Nut?
Oyster Nut (Telfairia pedata) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family within the Telfairia genus. Oyster Nut is also known as Queen of Nuts, Kigelia Africana.
Oyster Nut displays a vining, fast-growing climber growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Oyster Nut produces small, yellow-green flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Oyster Nut?
Telfairia pedata requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Oyster Nut Need?
Oyster Nut thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Oyster Nut Prefer?
Telfairia pedata grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Oyster Nut prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Oyster Nut?
Rich, well-draining soil with added compost or aged manure. Good drainage is essential for Oyster Nut to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Oyster Nut?
Feed Oyster Nut every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Oyster Nut?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Oyster Nut?
Oyster Nut can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fluted pumpkin plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Oyster Nut Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Oyster Nut, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Oyster Nut?
Oyster Nut is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Oyster Nut Need?
Oyster Nut grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Oyster Nut as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Oyster Nut is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Telfairia genus — compare its care with other Telfairia species on PlantoScan.
Telfairia is part of the Cucurbitaceae plant family — browse all Cucurbitaceae genera and species.
Oyster Nut thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Telfairia pedata Hook., family Cucurbitaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. 54: t. 2751 (1827)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Oyster Nut, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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