Bloomipedia
Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
Photo: Andy via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Japanese honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is a vine in the Caprifoliaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–June across the U.S.

Introduced in the lower 48

Japanese honeysuckle is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 22 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–June.

39states where USDA records it
22Bloomipedia state lists include it
69,629U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

🚫
Regulated invasive plant in Virginia, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Delaware and Connecticut. It's on those states' official invasive plant lists (Virginia: Tier 3 noxious weed (sale and movement restricted); Maryland: Prohibited invasive plant (some phase-outs run to 2028); New York: Prohibited invasive species (6 NYCRR § 575.3); Ohio: Invasive plant (sale and propagation prohibited); Delaware: Invasive Plant List (sale and propagation prohibited); Connecticut: Prohibited invasive plant (some listings take effect on later dates; see the statute)). Please don't plant or share it there. 2VAC5-317-20 MD prohibited invasive list 6 NYCRR Part 575 OAC 901:5-30-01 3 DE Admin. Code 806 CGS § 22a-381d

Quick look

Lonicera japonica, known as Japanese honeysuckle and golden-and-silver honeysuckle, is a species of honeysuckle native to East Asia, including many parts of China. It is often grown as an ornamental plant, but has become an invasive species in a number of countries. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine.

  • It belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a vine with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 39 states. USDA PLANTS
  • In Texas, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–May. iNaturalist
  • In North Carolina, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–May. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 1 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 11,623 research-grade sightings of it in Texas, ranking #49 among the 169 flowers on our Texas list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 6,137 research-grade sightings of it in North Carolina, ranking #10 among the 192 flowers on our North Carolina list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 6,019 research-grade sightings of it in Virginia, ranking #17 among the 189 flowers on our Virginia list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (4,516 records)
Bloom time in the 22 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
TexasIntroducedApril–May11,623
North CarolinaIntroducedApril–May6,137
VirginiaIntroducedMay–September6,019
New JerseyIntroducedMay–October5,399
MarylandIntroducedMay–September4,458
PennsylvaniaIntroducedMay–September4,271
New YorkIntroducedJune3,805
GeorgiaIntroducedApril–May3,052
TennesseeIntroducedApril–June3,008
AlabamaIntroducedApril–May2,294
OhioIntroducedMay–October2,162
South CarolinaIntroducedApril–May1,593
ArkansasIntroducedApril–May1,496
LouisianaIntroducedMarch–April1,406
KentuckyIntroducedMay–September1,293
MissouriIntroducedMay–September1,126
OklahomaIntroducedApril–May1,070
DelawareIntroducedMay–October874
ConnecticutIntroducedJune–September794
MississippiIntroducedApril–May755
West VirginiaIntroducedfew records (45)479
Rhode IslandIntroducedfew records (34)383

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. NatureServe
State rare plant lists
Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 15 of our 22 states.
See each state
Texas
Not listed Not on Texas endangered and threatened plants (31 Tex. Admin. Code § 69.8), as listed by Texas Parks and Wildlife. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Texas. 31 TAC 69.8
North Carolina
Not listed Not on North Carolina Protected Plant Species List (02 NCAC 48F .0301). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in North Carolina. 02 NCAC 48F .0301
Virginia
Not listed Not on Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Virginia. 2VAC5-320-10
New Jersey
Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Jersey. N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1
Maryland
Not listed Not on Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Maryland. COMAR 08.03.08
Pennsylvania
Not listed Not on Pennsylvania classified native plants (17 Pa. Code Ch. 45, Subchapter B, as amended 2023). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Pennsylvania. 17 Pa. Code Ch. 45
New York
Not listed Not on New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New York. 6 NYCRR § 193.3
Georgia
Not listed Not on Georgia protected plants (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-4-10-.09; a 2026 update is proposed). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Georgia. Ga. R. 391-4-10-.09
Tennessee
Not listed Not on Tennessee endangered plants (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-06-02-.04, Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Tennessee. TN rule 0400-06-02-.04
Ohio
Not listed Not on Ohio endangered and threatened plants (Ohio Adm. Code 1501:18-1-03, eff. Dec. 26, 2024). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Ohio. OAC 1501:18-1-03
Kentucky
Not listed Not on Kentucky endangered and threatened plant lists (400 KAR 3:040, eff. 2026). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Kentucky. 400 KAR 3:040
Missouri
Not listed Not on Missouri Wildlife Code endangered species (3 CSR 10-4.111), plants. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Missouri. 3 CSR 10-4.111
Delaware
Not listed Not on Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Delaware. DE rare plants 2024
Connecticut
Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Connecticut. CT E/T/SC list
Rhode Island
Not listed Not on Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Rhode Island. RI rare plants 2016
Alabama
No list Alabama has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alabama ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Alabama.
South Carolina
No list South Carolina has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's South Carolina ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in South Carolina.
Arkansas
No list Arkansas has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Arkansas ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Arkansas.
Louisiana
No list Louisiana has no state list of endangered or threatened plants separate from the federal list, so we show federal status and NatureServe's Louisiana ranks. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Louisiana.
Oklahoma
No list Oklahoma has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Oklahoma ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Oklahoma.
Mississippi
No list Mississippi has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Mississippi ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Mississippi.
West Virginia
No list West Virginia has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (only federally listed species are protected), so we show NatureServe's West Virginia ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in West Virginia.
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleCaution: partly edible, partly poisonous

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: medium). Poisonous parts: fruits. Symptoms they list: “Vomiting, diarrhea, pupil dilation, cold sweat, rapid heartbeat, respiratory failure, convulsions, and coma. TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.” They also note: “Nectar can be sucked from flowers without harm. Flowers are an ingredient in some Chinese dishes.” NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records Japanese honeysuckle in 39 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin; District of Columbia.

Texas counties with USDA records: Bexar, Blanco, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Caldwell, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Collin, Comal, Coryell, Dallas, Edwards, Freestone, Galveston, Gillespie, Grayson, Gregg, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Houston, Hunt, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Kerr, Leon, Lubbock, Madison, McLennan, Milam, Montgomery, Orange, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, Smith, Tarrant, Travis, Walker, Washington, Williamson.

North Carolina counties with USDA records: Alamance, Alexander, Anson, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Cherokee, Chowan, Clay, Cleveland, Cumberland, Dare, Davidson, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Graham, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Martin, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Perquimans, Person, Pitt, Polk, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Washington, Watauga, Wayne, Wilson, Yadkin.

Virginia counties with USDA records: Accomack, Albemarle, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Arlington, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buchanan, Buckingham, Campbell, Caroline, Carroll, Charles City, Charlotte, Chesapeake , Chesterfield, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dickenson, Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Gloucester, Goochland, Grayson, Greene, Greensville, Halifax, Hampton , Hanover, Henrico, Henry, Highland, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, King William, King and Queen, Lancaster, Lee, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, Montgomery, Nelson, New Kent, Newport News , Northampton, Northumberland, Nottoway, Orange, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince George, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Richmond, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Southampton, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Suffolk , Surry, Sussex, Tazewell, Virginia Beach , Warren, Washington, Westmoreland, Wise, Wythe, York.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Japanese honeysuckle a low shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 4.9 to 7.8 and winter lows down to -13 °F.

Shade tolerance
Low
Drought tolerance
Medium
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
medium, fine
Soil pH range
4.9 to 7.8
Minimum temperature tolerated
-13 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
130
Annual precipitation range
24 to 60 inches
Minimum root depth
10 inches
Salinity tolerance
Low
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Rapid
Lifespan
Moderate
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Black · Spring to Summer
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, cuttings, sprigs
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for LOJA. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Introduced; Hawaii: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced; Puerto Rico: Introduced.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Nintooa japonica.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 1067 counties across 36 states; the most are in Virginia (99), Kentucky (97), North Carolina (83).

Other Lonicera on Bloomipedia (7): Amur honeysuckle, Twinberry honeysuckle, Pink honeysuckle, Coral honeysuckle, Orange honeysuckle, Morrow's honeysuckle, Utah honeysuckle.

More from the Caprifoliaceae family (18 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Wild teasel, Common snowberry, Twinflower, Cutleaf teasel, Northern bush honeysuckle, Sitka valerian, Common valerian, Shortspur seablush.

More Texas flowers

Sources