Honeybush Plant Care

Honeybush (Freylinia vlokii) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family within the Freylinia genus. Honeybush is native to South Africa.

Honeybush displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Honeybush produces small, fragrant white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Honeybush every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Honeybush thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Freylinia vlokii tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Honeybush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Honeybush every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Honeybush is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

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

Honeybush can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 tree spacing calculator.

Prune Honeybush 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 tree in one year.

Honeybush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Honeybush can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to honeybush plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Honeybush 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.

Honeybush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Honeybush is native to South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Honeybush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.