Cart
What Is Mexican Honeysuckle?
Bright orange blooms. Happy hummingbirds. Low fuss.
You want color that pops and plants that don’t whine? Meet a small shrub with big charm. It glows like a tiny sunset and brings hummingbirds to your door. Best part: it’s easy. Let’s make your yard smile today.
What Is Mexican Honeysuckle?
Mexican honeysuckle is a small, evergreen shrub called Justicia spicigera. It is not a vine. It has soft green leaves and clusters of bright, tube-shaped orange flowers. In warm places, it can bloom most of the year.
Why Gardeners Love It (Hint: It Works Hard)
- Blooms a lot: Long season of bright orange flowers.
- Pollinator magnet: Hummingbirds and butterflies visit often.
- Easy care: Likes sun or part shade and well-drained soil.
- Heat wise: Handles hot summers once roots are set.
- Compact shape: Great for small yards and patios.
Where It Grows Best
Plant it in full sun for more flowers, or in part shade if afternoons are hot. It loves warm, frost-free places. In cooler spots, it may die back in winter and sprout again in spring.
How to Plant (Super Simple)
- Pick a spot with sun or bright shade and good drainage.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and just as deep.
- Set the plant in, backfill, and water well.
- Mulch 2–3 inches to keep roots comfy (but not against the stem).
Easy Care Routine
- Water: Keep soil moist the first few weeks. After that, water deeply when the top inch is dry.
- Feed: Light slow-release food in spring, if you want.
- Trim: Snip lightly after a bloom flush to keep it neat and bushy.
Size and Look
This shrub usually grows about 2–5 feet tall and around 3–6 feet wide. The leaves feel soft, and the flowers are narrow orange tubes in little clusters—very showy, very cheerful.
Smart Ways to Use It
- Under trees: Brighten light shade with orange color.
- Along paths: Friendly height near walkways.
- In pots: Great in large containers on patios.
- Pollinator corner: Mix with salvia, lantana, or firebush.
Fun Fact
In Mexico, this plant has many local names. People value it for its bold color and for how it draws wildlife. It’s a little shrub with a big cultural glow.
Common Mix-Ups (So You Don’t Buy the Wrong Plant)
- Not a true honeysuckle: It’s not a Lonicera vine.
- Not firecracker plant: That one is Russelia with thin stems. This shrub has soft leaves and fuller clusters.
Quick Troubleshooting
- Few flowers? Give it more sun and don’t overwater.
- Leggy? Trim tips to spark new, bushy growth.
- Yellow leaves? Check drainage; let soil dry a bit between waterings.
Simple Care Calendar
- Spring: Plant, feed lightly, shape trim.
- Summer: Deep water as needed; enjoy the show.
- Fall: Light prune after blooms slow.
- Winter: In cold snaps, cover. If it freezes back, wait—new shoots often return in spring.
FAQ
Is Mexican honeysuckle a vine? No. It’s a small shrub.
Does it attract hummingbirds? Yes, they love the orange tubes.
Will it grow in a pot? Yes. Use a big container with drain holes and quality potting mix.
The Bottom Line
Mexican honeysuckle is a bright, easy shrub with long blooms, soft leaves, and tons of wildlife visits. If you want quick color and happy pollinators, plant it. It’s simple, tough, and joyful—just what your garden needs.
Mexico's Best Fiesta Favorites
Top-Trending Gift Ideas
Recommended Posts For You
-
Rosca De Reyes
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Popular Mexican Dishes
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Mexican Seafood Dishes
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Exotic Mexican Foods
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
El Día De La Raza Themed Party Supplies
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Ceramic Pots And Vessels For Altar Offerings
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
What Is Special About Día De La Candelaria?
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Piñata Stick And Blindfold Set For Parties
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Piñatas That Play Traditional Mexican Songs When Hit
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Why Mexican Food Is So Popular
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
What Do You Serve At A Mexican Buffet?
-
Handmade Mexican Independence Day Piñatas
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Cinco De Mayo Themed Aprons
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Cinco De Mayo Cocktail Mixes
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Traditional Mexican Piñatas
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Cinco De Mayo Themed Costumes
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Agave Plant Decor
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Traditional Mexican Music Cds For Family Events
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Mexican Family Reunion Thank You Cards
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Mexican Family Reunion Name Tags
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Regional Mexican Cooking Class Vouchers
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Handcrafted Mexican Regional Piñatas
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Custom Tailored Outfits For Regional Mexican Fiestas
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Mexican Regional Themed Party Favors
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Mexican Fiesta Themed Beverage Glasses
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Mexican Independence Day Themed Balloons
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Grito De Dolores Educational Materials
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Mexican Independence Day Fireworks Kits
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Green, White, And Red Flower Arrangements
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Indigenous Mexican Rituals And Traditions Ebooks
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Indigenous Mexican Themed Photo Booth Props
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Photo Books Of Indigenous Mexican Festivals
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Indigenous Mexican Cooking Class Vouchers
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Art Prints Of Indigenous Mexican Cultural Imagery
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Indigenous Mexican Ceramics And Pottery
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Indigenous Mexican Themed Tableware
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Music Instruments Used In Indigenous Mexican Festivities
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Indigenous Mexican Costumes For Celebrations
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Artisanal Crafts Inspired By Indigenous Mexican Art
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
History Of Fireworks In Mexican Cultural Events
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Diy Firework Alternatives For Mexican Fiestas
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Safety Tips For Fireworks In Mexican Celebrations
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Firework Displays In Mexican Festivals
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Educational Posters On Indigenous Mexican Cultures
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Authentic Indigenous Mexican Herbal Remedies
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Sparklers And Small Fireworks For Home Celebrations
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Led Firework Alternatives For Indoor Events
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Firework Display Services For Parties
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Assorted Firework Packages For Festivals
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
-
Firework Safety Gear And Equipment
Listen Now 0:00 0m 00s left – 0:00 ...
Leave a comment