It is semi-evergreen, meaning it keeps its leaves in mild winters but drops them in colder climates.

Does it need pruning?

Prune it immediately after flowering to keep the shrub tidy and encourage fresh growth.

Plant guide

Winter Honeysuckle.

Lonicera fragrantissima

Pronounced loh-NISS-er-uh fray-gran-TISS-ih-muh

Also known as Fragrant Honeysuckle, January Jasmine, Standish's Honeysuckle, Sweet Breath Of Spring, Winter Honeysuckle, sweet breath-of-spring

Winter honeysuckle is a wonderful shrub that brings a sweet, lemony scent to your garden during the coldest months. It is a semi-evergreen plant that produces creamy white flowers before most other plants wake up in spring. You will love how it brightens up a dreary winter landscape.

Another photo of Winter Honeysuckle — Photo by Daniel Cahen (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 8 to 10 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Plant this shrub in a spot with well-draining soil and plenty of room to spread. Watch for yellowing leaves, which can indicate poor drainage or too much shade. It is quite hardy, so it does not need much fuss once it is established.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially during the first year of growth.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once in early spring before new growth starts.
Pruning: Prune immediately after the flowers fade to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth.
Repotting: If growing in a container, move to a larger pot every few years when roots become crowded.
Soil: Well-draining, loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -20 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 30 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the spring

Safety

People: Ingestion of the berries may cause stomach upset or vomiting in humans.
Pets: The berries may cause mild stomach upset if ingested by cats or dogs.
Children: The bright red berries are attractive to small children and should be kept out of reach to prevent accidental ingestion.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is generally not considered a major allergen.
Edibility: The berries are considered mildly toxic and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Opposite, oval shaped leaves
Fragrant, creamy white winter flowers
Red berries in late spring
Arching, woody branches

Height: 1.8 to 3m
Spread: 1.8 to 3m
Leaves: dark green, blue green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: creamy white, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: red, Late spring

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your winter honeysuckle from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, layering
When to plant: spring, fall
Overwintering: No special winter protection is needed as it is quite hardy. Mulch around the base if you live in a very cold region to keep the roots stable.
In containers: It can be grown in a large container, but it prefers being in the ground for long-term health.

Softwood cuttings

Take 10 cm cuttings in early summer.
Remove lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
Place in a moist, well-draining potting mix.
Cover with a plastic bag to maintain humidity.
Transplant once roots are well established.

Plant this shrub near a path or window so you can enjoy the winter fragrance without needing to step into the cold.

Grows well with

Witch Hazel · Both plants provide beautiful fragrance in the late winter garden.
Snowdrop · These early bulbs complement the shrub's winter bloom time.

Similar species

Winter Jasmine · It also blooms in winter but features yellow flowers instead of white.

Science

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Lonicera
Order: Dipsacales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern China
Conservation: This plant is considered invasive in some parts of the United States and should be planted with caution.

It thrives in woodland edges and thickets where it can access moderate light and well-drained soil.

Value to wildlife: early season nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: fragrant garden, shrub border, winter interest

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it evergreen?: It is semi-evergreen, meaning it keeps its leaves in mild winters but drops them in colder climates.
Does it need pruning?: Prune it immediately after flowering to keep the shrub tidy and encourage fresh growth.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Lonicera honors Adam Lonicer, a German botanist, while the specific epithet fragrantissima refers to its exceptionally fragrant flowers.

Good to know

It is often called Winter Honeysuckle.
The flowers appear before the leaves fully emerge in spring.
It is one of the first plants to bloom in the garden each year.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your winter honeysuckle growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.