Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica · Deciduous to Semi-Evergreen Woody Vine
Plant Family
Caprifoliaceae
Tree Category
Invasive Woody Vine / Ornamental (Non-native)
Variety / Cultivar
Standard Wild Type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9.
About This Tree
It is not a tree but a vigorous, twining woody vine that can behave like a groundcover or climb up to 30 feet. Features simple, opposite leaves and highly fragrant, tubular white and yellow flowers followed by small black berries.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite, ovate to oblong leaves, 1.5 to 3 inches long. Dark green above, lighter green below. Semi-evergreen in warm zones; margins are typically entire but can be lobed on young growth.
Bark Characteristics
Young stems are reddish or light brown and often pubescent (hairy); older stems have light brown, papery, peeling bark that shreds in longitudinal strips.
Growing Information
Origin Region
East Asia (Japan, China, Korea); widely naturalized in North America and Oceania.
Growing Season
Leafs out in early spring; flowers from late spring through summer; fruits in autumn; semi-evergreen in milder climates.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade. Prefers moist, well-drained soils but is highly drought-tolerant and adaptable once established.
Mature Size
Climbing height of 15-30 feet; spread varies by host structure; growth rate is extremely fast.
Special Characteristics
Highly invasive in North America; extremely fragrant flowers; notable for its ability to girdle young trees by tightly twining around trunks.
Wildlife & Ecology
Flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds, moths, and bees. Berries are eaten by songbirds (e.g., goldfinches, turkeys), which helps distribute seeds. However, it displaces native plant species and reduces biodiversity.