What soil does Japanese honeysuckle grow in?

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

Is Japanese honeysuckle hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Japanese honeysuckle toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

When does Japanese honeysuckle flower?

Flowering: June–October, white, yellow.

How much water does Japanese honeysuckle need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

What should I plant instead of Japanese honeysuckle?

We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens. For a similar purpose we recommend: Chocolate vine, Goldflame honeysuckle, Boston ivy, Climbing hydrangea.

Japanese honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is a climber. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Mildly toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €14. We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens.

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

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

A strongly scented, semi-evergreen honeysuckle that flowers from summer into autumn and quickly covers a fence or pergola. It climbs by twining stems, so it needs wires, a trellis or a fence and will not go up a bare wall on its own. It is very vigorous: shoots root where they touch the ground and birds carry the berries away, so cut it back regularly and do not plant it near woodland, scrub or riverbanks.

We do not recommend this plant

We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens. Further down we show what to plant instead.

Watch out for

It escapes from gardens in Central Europe: botanists treat it as a potential invasive plant and its sale is already banned in one nearby country, although it is not on the EU or the Hungarian list. Left alone it climbs over neighbouring shrubs and small trees and can smother them. In cold winters it drops its leaves and shoot tips may die back. Powdery mildew can appear in hot, dry weather and aphids attack young shoots in spring. It goes bare at the base with age, so a hard cut in spring helps.

Considered invasive in a neighbouring country

It isn't listed here, but don't plant it near natural habitats, woodland or water, and don't leave the clippings outside the garden.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Low
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 6 m × 1.8 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–October, white, yellow

Group	Climber
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	6 m × 1.8 m
Ultimate size	4.5–9 m × 0.9–2.5 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Semi-evergreen
Flowering	June–October, white, yellow
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	200 cm
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	from about €14

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

What to plant instead

Recommended plants that do the same job, with similar characteristics.

Chocolate vine

Akebia quinata 8 m × 3 m after 10 years

Chocolate vine is a fast twining climber with delicate five-fingered leaves that stay on in mild winters and chocolate-purple spring flowers with a…

Climber

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about €17

Goldflame honeysuckle

Lonicera × heckrottii 4 m × 2 m after 10 years

Goldflame honeysuckle is one of the longest-flowering climbing honeysuckles: its fragrant flowers, pink outside and yellow inside, open from early…

Climber

Full sun

Part shade

from about €9.90

Boston ivy

Parthenocissus tricuspidata 10 m × 5 m after 10 years

A vigorous deciduous climber that clings on its own to brick, stone and concrete with adhesive pads at the tips of its tendrils, so it covers a…

Climber

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about €8.90

Climbing hydrangea

Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris 5 m × 3 m after 10 years

A deciduous climbing shrub for a shady, north or east facing wall: it clings by itself to brick, stone and tree trunks with aerial roots and bears…

Climber

Part shade

Shade

from about €6.90

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
size not stated	approx. €14

Frequently asked questions

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

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