Plant Care Guide

Cape Honeysuckle

Tecoma capensis

Cape Honeysuckle is a bold, fast-growing tropical shrub or vine known for its bright, trumpet-shaped flowers in orange, red, yellow, or apricot. Despite the name, it’s not actually a honeysuckle, but it does share the nonstop flowering, the hummingbird appeal, and the easy-going nature that plant lovers adore. 

Native to South Africa, this plant thrives in warm climates (zones 9–11) and blooms off and on nearly all year. It can be pruned into a compact shrub, allowed to spill over as a rambling vine, or grown in containers in cooler climates. Once established, it’s impressively drought tolerant and extremely low maintenance. 

Watering Requirements

Cape honeysuckle enjoys regular watering but becomes drought tolerant once its roots are established. 

Watering Schedule 

  • Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry 
  • Typically once per week in full sun; every 1–2 weeks in partial shade 
  • Increase water during extreme heat or containers 
  • Reduce watering in winter or during dormancy 

Signs of Underwatering 

  • Limp or curled leaves 
  • Leaf drop 
  • Slow or reduced flowering 

Signs of Overwatering 

  • Yellowing leaves 
  • Mushy stems or root rot 
  • Browning leaf tips in consistently soggy soil 

Pro Tips

Deep, infrequent watering creates a stronger, more drought-tolerant root system. Aim for a good soak rather than frequent sips.

Light Requirements

Cape honeysuckle thrives in strong light and rewards it with more blooms. 

Ideal Light Conditions 

  • Full sun (6–8+ hours) = maximum flowering 
  • Partial shade = still blooms, but slightly less 
  • Hot climates: best with afternoon shade or dappled light 

Signs of Too Much Light 

  • Leaf scorch 
  • Crispy edges 
  • Washed-out leaves 

Signs of Not Enough Light 

  • Sparse flowering 
  • Long, leggy stems 
  • Pale foliage 

Pro Tips

The more sun it receives, the fuller and showier the blooms. Place it in the brightest spot you can offer unless your climate is extremely hot.

Soil & Potting

Cape honeysuckle is not picky about soil, as long as it drains well. 

Best Soil Mix 

  • Standard well-draining potting mix 
  • Optional: add bark, coarse sand, or perlite for faster drainage 
  • Tolerates acidic, neutral, and alkaline soil 
  • Performs well even in sandy or coastal soils 

Potting Notes 

  • Use pots with large drainage holes 
  • Repot when roots grow out the bottom, size up 2" each time 
  • Great for containers in colder climates 

Pro Tips

If planting in clay soil, amend with coarse sand or bark to prevent soggy roots, rapid drainage is key to avoiding root rot.

Fertilizing

Cape honeysuckle is not a heavy feeder, but light seasonal feeding supports vigorous growth and vibrant blooms. 

Feeding Schedule 

  • Fertilize in spring and summer 
  • Use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) 
  • Slow-release or liquid both work well 
  • Skip fertilizing in winter 

Signs Fertilizer Is Needed 

  • Pale or small new leaves 
  • Weak or reduced blooms 
  • Slower growth in warm months 

Pro Tips

If your soil is already rich, skip the fertilizer. Cape honeysuckle grows vigorously on its own and can become unruly with too much feeding.

Pruning & Maintenance

This plant grows fast, pruning helps shape it and prevents sprawling. 

How to Prune 

  • Lightly prune anytime to maintain shape 
  • Cut back harder in spring to control size 
  • Remove frost-damaged branches after winter 
  • Clip suckers immediately if you don’t want spread 
  • For hedges: prune regularly for a dense, boxy form 
  • For vines: train onto a trellis and prune only as needed 

Why Pruning Helps 

  • Encourages branching 
  • Controls aggressive growth 
  • Keeps the plant full, lush, and flowering well 

Pro Tips

This plant blooms on new growth, a quick shaping in spring often leads to an even better bloom season.

Common Problems & Solutions

Aggressive Growth 

Cause: Natural growth habit 

Fix: Regular pruning + remove suckers early 

Leaf Scorch 

Cause: Extreme heat, too much direct sun, or wind 

Fix: Provide afternoon shade and water deeply 

Sparse Blooms 

Cause: Too much shade 

Fix: Increase sunlight 

Root Rot 

Cause: Poor drainage or overwatering 

Fix: Improve soil drainage; let soil dry more between waterings 

Aphids / Scale 

Fix: Neem oil or insecticidal soap; treat early 

Pro Tips

If your cape honeysuckle isn’t performing, check these three first: sun, water, and pruning, these solve nearly every issue.