Mexican honeysuckle is a popular desert shrub with brilliant orange flowers that, unfortunately, often struggles to look its best. Here’s how to find the perfect “Goldilocks Zone” for this colorful hummingbird magnet.
Mexican honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera) is native to arid and subtropical climates in Mexico and Central America. But it’s not vine nor is it related to honeysuckles. It’s a medium-size evergreen shrub with velvety green leaves and vivid tubular orange flowers that hummingbirds can’t resist.
It’s easy to get this plant to survive, but it can be tricky to get it looking its best. More often than not you’ll see them with curled yellow leaves or looking leggy.
You need to find the perfect “Goldilocks Zone” just the right amount of water and sun — not too much but not too little — to help this plant reach its full potential.
One of the main reasons gardeners grow them, in spite of their challenges, is that they bloom all year and are hummingbird magnets. They provide nectar when there isn’t much else available. They are also larval hosts for several butterfly species.
Why I Like This Plant
- Bright orange flowers almost all year
- Fuzzy light green leaves
- Low maintenance
- Attracts hummingbirds
- No thorns, low litter
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding a Mexican honeysuckle to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your plant healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Mexican honeysuckle should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 – 11. It doesn’t mind temperature extremes. It loves heat and is cold-hardy. The leaves will suffer frost damage when the temperature drops to 25℉, but the plant will survive down to 10℉.
Sun Exposure
While many sources say Mexican honeysuckle likes full sun, I haven’t found that to be the case. They might survive it, but almost always look distressed in full sun. Their leaves curl and turn yellow. In part shade, the leaves stay a healthy-looking bright green. But too much shade and they get leggy and have fewer flowers.
Mexican honeysuckle’s “Goldilocks zone” is dappled shade, which can be hard to find in many desert gardens.
Size and Growth Rate
Mexican honeysuckle is a slow to moderate grower. They typically reach a size of 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide.
It flowers most heavily in the spring, but often flowers all year.
Soil
Mexican honeysuckle is not particular about soil. It grows well in most native soil — rocky, sandy, alkaline — provided it’s well-draining. However, it does not like high levels of salt in the soil or growing in caliche soil.
Diseases & Pests
Mexican honeysuckle can be prone to root rot or chlorosis. This can largely be prevented by not overwatering.
This shrub is also susceptible to white fly infestations. White flies can be controlled by spraying with insecticidal soap.
Other Location Considerations
Since it is non-toxic, has no thorns or irritating hairs, and is low-litter, it’s a plant you can place near a pool, sidewalk, or anywhere it might come in contact with people or pets. It can also be grown in large containers.
Mexican Honeysuckle:
The Essentials
| Common Names | Mexican honeysuckle |
| Scientific Name | Justicia spicigera |
| Origin | Mexico, Central America |
| Plant Type | Evergreen shrub |
| USDA Zones | Zones 9 – 11 |
| Cold Hardiness | To 10℉ |
| Flower Color | Orange |
| Flower Season | All year |
| Mature Size | 3’ high x 4’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Slow to moderate |
| Sun Tolerance | Part or filtered sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
| Pests & Diseases | Root rot, chlorosis White flies |
| Garden Friendly | No thorns, non-toxic |
| Wildlife | Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies Deer resistant |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any shrub in the desert is to dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Amending the soil is not recommended. Counterintuitively, backfilling with the same native soil you just dug up helps your plant develop a stronger root system.
When to Plant
The best time to plant Mexican honeysuckle is in the fall. This gives your shrub three seasons to grow roots and get established before the following summer.
The second best time is in spring, the earlier the better. This still gives your plant time to get established before the intense heat of June arrives.
How to Care for Mexican Honeysuckle
Whether you’ve recently planted a Mexican honeysuckle or have an existing plant in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water New Plants
Once you’ve got your shrub in the ground, watering is your most immediate concern. Here is the recommended watering schedule for new shrubs planted in the spring or fall.
| Weeks 1 & 2 | Every 3 – 4 days |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Every 5 – 7 days |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Every 7 – 10 days |
| Weeks 7 & 8 | Every 10 – 14 days |
After week 8, gradually extend the time between waterings.
How to Water Established Plants
As your plant gets established, there are two watering factors to consider.
- First is how often to water. This will vary with the seasons.
- Second is how much water to give your shrub with each watering. This depends on the current size of your plant.
To determine the ideal watering schedule for Mexican honeysuckle, you’ll find everything you need to know, including easy-to-use charts, at How to Water Desert Shrubs: How Often? How Much?
Note that plants in full sun need more water than those in part or full shade.
Should You Fertilize?
Fertilizer is not mandatory, but giving your Mexican honeysuckle an annual application of fertilizer in late winter or early spring helps its general appearance and vitality, and may reduce the likelihood of white fly infestations.
Fertilizing with chelated iron if your plant shows signs of chlorosis, typically yellowing of leaves between veins.
How to Prune
Mexican honeysuckle doesn’t need much pruning. Remove any frost damage in early spring. You can also lightly trim your plant in late summer or fall if it becomes leggy.
This is a shrub that responds well to a severe, rejuvenation prune once every 3 to 4 years.
Don’t Confuse Mexican Honeysuckle With…
Mexican honeysuckle sometimes goes by another common name — firecracker plant. Consequently, it’s easily confused with a similar-looking shrub called firecracker bush (Hamelia patens). Both have light green leaves and orange flowers, grow to be a similar size, attract hummingbirds, and are common desert landscape plants.
Plant Lover Facts
Mexican honeysuckle (genus Justicia) is not a honeysuckle. Taxonomically, it’s not remotely related to Lonicera, the genus of honeysuckle vines. They are not even in the same plant family or plant order.
Have you grown this plant?
Was it a “hit” or a “miss” in your garden?
Please share your experience in the comments below!
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
