Goat Honeysuckle Plant Care
Lonicera tragophylla Hemsl. ex F.B.Forbes & Hemsl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lonicera tragophylla, the Chinese honeysuckle, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to Central China, where it inhabits forest, scrub and rocky crevices. Growing to 6 m (20 ft) tall by 1.5 m (4.9 ft) wide, it is a deciduous climbing shrub with grey-green leaves and trumpet-shaped, pure rich yellow flowers in late summer and autumn.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Goat Honeysuckle?
Water Goat 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 Goat Honeysuckle Native To?
What Is the Goat Honeysuckle?
Goat Honeysuckle (Lonicera tragophylla) belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family within the Lonicera genus. Goat Honeysuckle is native to Central China.
Goat Honeysuckle displays a vining, twining shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Goat Honeysuckle produces fragrant tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Goat Honeysuckle?
Lonicera tragophylla 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 Goat Honeysuckle Need?
Goat Honeysuckle thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Goat Honeysuckle Prefer?
Lonicera tragophylla grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Goat Honeysuckle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Goat Honeysuckle?
Rich, well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Goat Honeysuckle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Goat Honeysuckle?
Feed Goat 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 Goat 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 Goat Honeysuckle?
Goat Honeysuckle can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to trumpet honeysuckle plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Goat 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 Goat Honeysuckle?
Goat 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 Goat Honeysuckle Need?
Goat Honeysuckle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Goat Honeysuckle is native to Central China. In cooler regions, grow Goat Honeysuckle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Goat 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.
Goat Honeysuckle thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Lonicera Species
Other Lonicera species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lonicera tragophylla Hemsl. ex F.B.Forbes & Hemsl., family Caprifoliaceae (first published in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 23: 367 (1888)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Goat 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
Goat 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