Honeysuckle
Lonicera
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🖨 Print-friendly care cardAt a Glance
| Botanical name | Lonicera |
|---|---|
| Common name(s) | Honeysuckle |
| Family | Caprifoliaceae |
| Plant type | climber |
| Position | Partial shade |
| Soil | Fertile, moist but well-drained soil; requirements vary by species. |
| Flowering | June–September |
| Toxicity | berries are poisonous to humans |
| Native range | northern latitudes in North America, Eurasia, and North Africa |
Choosing a honeysuckle
Lonicera includes climbing honeysuckles and shrubs, so check the species or cultivar before choosing a position. Climbing forms need a trellis, wires or another secure support for their twining stems. Most appreciate fertile, moist but well-drained soil; partial shade can keep the roots and foliage healthier.
Planting, watering and support
Plant deciduous climbing honeysuckles while dormant in late winter, or plant evergreen varieties in spring or autumn. Water new plants thoroughly in dry spells and mulch in spring, keeping mulch clear of stems. Tie young shoots loosely onto supports until they begin twining for themselves.
Pruning and seasonal problems
Pruning depends on flowering habit, so do not cut every honeysuckle back hard at the same time. Light annual management helps control long stems; layering is a useful propagation method. Poor air movement and drought stress can encourage powdery mildew, so give vigorous climbers enough space.
Source: RHS gardening guidance. Advice is adapted to UK growing conditions.
Pests and Diseases
| Problem | Symptoms | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Powdery mildew | White, dusty fungal growth appears on leaves and stems. | Improve air circulation and prune out affected shoots; apply fungicide if severe. |
| Honeysuckle aphids | Clusters of small green or black insects on new growth causing leaf curling. | Encourage natural predators like ladybirds or use a strong jet of water to dislodge them. |
| Thrips | Silvering or bronzing of leaves and distorted flower buds. | Monitor with sticky traps and remove heavily infested plant parts. |
| Glasshouse whitefly | Tiny white flying insects around foliage leading to sticky honeydew. | Use yellow sticky traps and encourage parasitic wasps for biological control. |
| Slugs and snails | Irregular holes in young leaves and seedlings, often with slime trails. | Use physical barriers like copper tape or apply iron phosphate pellets. |
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