Photo: Millie BasdenCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Honeysuckle Plant Care
Lonicera japonica Thunb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lonicera japonica, known as Japanese honeysuckle and golden-and-silver honeysuckle, is a species of honeysuckle native to East Asia, including many parts of China. It is often grown as an ornamental plant, but has become an invasive species in a number of countries.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Honeysuckle?
Water Honeysuckle every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Honeysuckle Native To?
What Is the Honeysuckle?
Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family within the Lonicera genus. Honeysuckle is native to East Asia, including many parts of China. Honeysuckle is also known as Japanese Honeysuckle, Hall's Honeysuckle, Chinese Honeysuckle.
Honeysuckle displays a vining, twining shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Honeysuckle produces fragrant tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Honeysuckle?
Lonicera japonica requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Honeysuckle Need?
Honeysuckle thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Honeysuckle Prefer?
Lonicera japonica grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Honeysuckle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Honeysuckle?
Rich, well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Honeysuckle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Honeysuckle?
Feed Honeysuckle every 6 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 6 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 Honeysuckle?
Repot every 2-3 years in early 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 Honeysuckle?
Honeysuckle can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering, seeds.
Is the Honeysuckle Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Berries may be mildly toxic if ingested
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 Honeysuckle?
Honeysuckle is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, powdery mildew. 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 Honeysuckle Need?
Honeysuckle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Honeysuckle is native to East Asia, including many parts of China. In cooler regions, grow Honeysuckle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Honeysuckle 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 Lonicera genus — compare its care with other Lonicera species on PlantoScan.
Lonicera is part of the Caprifoliaceae plant family — browse all Caprifoliaceae genera and species.
Honeysuckle 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: Lonicera japonica Thunb., family Caprifoliaceae (first published in Syst. Veg., ed. 14 (J. A. Murray). 216. 1784 [May-Jun 1784]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Honeysuckle is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Millie Basden, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, 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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