California Honeysuckle Plant Care
Lonicera subspicata Hook. & Arn.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lonicera subspicata is a species of honeysuckle known by the common name southern honeysuckle. It is native to Baja California, California, and northern Baja California Sur, where it is known from several areas in mountain and coastal habitat, particularly chaparral.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for California Honeysuckle?
Water California 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 California Honeysuckle Native To?
What Is the California Honeysuckle?
California Honeysuckle (Lonicera subspicata) belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family within the Lonicera genus. California Honeysuckle is native to Baja California, California, and northern Baja California Sur.
California Honeysuckle displays a vining, twining shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. California Honeysuckle produces fragrant tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a California Honeysuckle?
Lonicera subspicata 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 California Honeysuckle Need?
California Honeysuckle thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the California Honeysuckle Prefer?
Lonicera subspicata grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. California Honeysuckle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a California Honeysuckle?
Rich, well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for California Honeysuckle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a California Honeysuckle?
Feed California 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 California 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 California Honeysuckle?
California Honeysuckle can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to honeysuckle plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the California 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 California Honeysuckle?
California 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 California Honeysuckle Need?
California Honeysuckle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. California Honeysuckle is native to Baja California, California, and northern Baja California Sur. In cooler regions, grow California Honeysuckle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
California 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.
California 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 subspicata Hook. & Arn., family Caprifoliaceae (first published in Bot. Beechey Voy. : 349 (1839)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: California 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.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
California Honeysuckle Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species