How much sun does Southern honeysuckle need?

Southern honeysuckle grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Southern honeysuckle bloom?

Southern honeysuckle blooms in April, May, June, and July.

Where is Southern honeysuckle native?

Southern honeysuckle (Lonicera subspicata) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Southern honeysuckle attract?

Southern honeysuckle draws hummingbirds and bees.

Southern honeysuckle

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lonicera subspicata

Last reviewed: September 2026

Southern honeysuckle (Lonicera subspicata) is a perennial vine native to CA. It blooms in April, May, June, and July. The flowers draw hummingbirds and bees.

Toxicity unknown

Southern honeysuckle (Lonicera subspicata) 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

full sun

Water

low

Size

24"–72" H × 36"–72" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun, Jul

Native to

Pollinators

hummingbirds, bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A scrambling, semi-woody honeysuckle that climbs low over shrubs or trails along the ground with paired evergreen leaves and small pale yellow tubular flowers. It has a looser, more informal habit than clipped garden shrubs.

Growing Southern honeysuckle

Grow Southern honeysuckle in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 72 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide.

Wildlife value

The tubular spring and summer flowers attract hummingbirds and long-tongued native bees.

Common questions

How much sun does Southern honeysuckle need?: Southern honeysuckle grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Southern honeysuckle bloom?: Southern honeysuckle blooms in April, May, June, and July.
Where is Southern honeysuckle native?: Southern honeysuckle (Lonicera subspicata) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Southern honeysuckle attract?: Southern honeysuckle draws hummingbirds and bees.

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.

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