Cape honeysuckle Tecoma capensis
Cape honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Bignoniaceae family, native to Eastern South Africa to Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It grows 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) tall and 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 1.8 m (5.9 ft) apart.
Plan Cape honeysuckle in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Cape honeysuckle at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Bignoniaceae |
| Mature height | 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.8 m (5.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 17–34 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern South Africa to Mozambique and Zimbabwe |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇦🇺 Australia |
| Invasive in | Australia (environmental weed, localised): check local rules before planting |
Is Cape honeysuckle toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Toxicity is not well documented; not listed as a significant poison by the ASPCA.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cape honeysuckle
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Cape honeysuckle in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kirstenbosch (3 plants)
Questions about Cape honeysuckle
- How far apart should I plant Cape honeysuckle?
- About 1.8 m (5.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft).
- Does Cape honeysuckle need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cape honeysuckle need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Cape honeysuckle?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Cape honeysuckle flower?
- From about August for 17–34 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Cape honeysuckle poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Toxicity is not well documented; not listed as a significant poison by the ASPCA.
- What grows well with Cape honeysuckle?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cape honeysuckle. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- A scrambling shrub that can be trained as a hedge or climber; light frost burns the tips and it resprouts.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Trumpet vine Campsis radicans
- Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia
- Pink trumpet tree (ipê) Handroanthus impetiginosus
- African tulip tree (Nandi flame) Spathodea campanulata
- Nile tulip (markhamia) Markhamia lutea
- Desert willow Chilopsis linearis
- Indian bean tree (southern catalpa) Catalpa bignonioides
- Rosy trumpet tree (chomphu phanthip) Tabebuia rosea