How big does Honeyberry grow?

About 1.5 m × 1.5 m after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 1–2 m × 1–1.8 m.

What soil does Honeyberry grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Honeyberry toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

How far from the house should Honeyberry be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How much water does Honeyberry need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Honeyberry cost?

It sells for roughly €5.90 to €13 in local shops, depending on size.

Honeyberry

Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica

Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica) is a fruit plant that reaches 1.5 m × 1.5 m after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -40 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €5.90.

Illustration of Honeyberry — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Honeyberry is an undemanding, extremely hardy shrub that gives the earliest berries of the year: its powdery blue, elongated, sweet-tart fruit is ready in late spring. A single bush sets hardly any fruit, so always plant at least two different varieties that flower at the same time close together (for example 'Martin' with 'Morena', 'Wojtek' or 'Zojka'). It is not fussy about soil and tolerates limy ground, but it copes poorly with summer heat and drought, so give it a spot with afternoon shade and mulch it.

Watch out for

It comes from cold climates, so in the hot, dry summers of Central Europe the leaves can scorch, get powdery mildew and drop as early as late summer. This rarely kills the bush, and part shade and regular watering help a lot. It flowers very early, in mild winters even at the end of winter: the flowers stand light frosts, but in cold, wet weather few pollinators fly and fruit set can be poor. Birds strip the ripening berries quickly unless the bush is netted.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.5 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -40 °C
Foliage: Deciduous

Group	Fruit
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.5 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	1–2 m × 1–1.8 m
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	March–May, white, yellow
Harvest	May–June
Self-fertile	no
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	150 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €5.90

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
20-50 cm	approx. €7
30-40 cm	approx. €11
40-50 cm	approx. €9
70-90 cm	approx. €10
size not stated	approx. €5.90 – €13

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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