Grape Honeysuckle
Lonicera reticulata
Last reviewed: September 2026
Grape honeysuckle is a deciduous twining vine that blooms in May and June, doing best in part sun with medium moisture along woodland edges, fences, and rocky slopes.

Toxicity unknown
Grape Honeysuckle (Lonicera reticulata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
36"–120" H × 36"–120" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AR, GA, IA, IN and 8 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Grape honeysuckle is a native vine with fragrant tubular flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. This vigorous climber can reach 10 feet in height and spread, making it ideal for trellises, fences, or pergolas. The deciduous foliage provides seasonal interest with attractive fall color.
Growing Grape Honeysuckle
Grow Grape Honeysuckle in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 120 inches tall and spread 36 to 120 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Grape Honeysuckle takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Vigorous vine growth can appear uncontrolled without regular pruning
- May be confused with invasive honeysuckle species by HOA boards
- Dormant winter appearance lacks structure
Wildlife value
The nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds during the blooming period. Birds also benefit from the small berries that develop after flowering.
Common questions
- When does grape honeysuckle bloom?
- Grape honeysuckle blooms in May and June, producing tubular yellow flowers along its twining stems.
- What pollinators visit grape honeysuckle?
- Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are regular visitors to the tubular flowers of grape honeysuckle.
- How much light and water does grape honeysuckle need?
- This vine grows best in part sun with medium moisture, though it can tolerate a range from full sun to part shade and slightly drier soil once established.
- Is grape honeysuckle an evergreen or deciduous vine?
- Grape honeysuckle is a deciduous vine, dropping its leaves in fall and producing new growth each spring.
- What kind of support does grape honeysuckle need to grow well?
- As a twining vine, grape honeysuckle grows best with a trellis, fence, or arbor to climb, and it can also be allowed to trail along the ground or over rock outcrops.
- Is Grape Honeysuckle HOA-friendly?
- Grape Honeysuckle takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Grape Honeysuckle? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz