Skip to main content

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.

Grape Honeysuckle (Lonicera reticulata)
Photo: (c) Jo Roberts, some rights reserved (CC BY)

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 area

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.

See all plant problem guides

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