Honey-Thorn Plant Care

Honey-Thorn (Azima tetracantha) belongs to the Salvadoraceae family within the Azima genus. Honey-Thorn is also known as Honey Thorn, Needle Bush.

Honey-Thorn displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Honey-Thorn produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Honey-Thorn every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Honey-Thorn thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Azima tetracantha tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Honey-Thorn prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Honey-Thorn to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Honey-Thorn every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Honey-Thorn is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Honey-Thorn can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Honey-Thorn while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Honey-Thorn is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Honey-Thorn can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Honey-Thorn is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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.

Honey-Thorn grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Honey-Thorn as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.