Leycesteria formosa, Himalayan honeysuckle
1 / 3
Deciduous Shrubs

Leycesteria formosa

Himalayan honeysuckle

CaprifoliaceaeHimalayas and southwestern China

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m)
Width4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 9
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Leycesteria formosa is a fast-growing deciduous shrub reaching 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) tall with a spread of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m). Stems are hollow, upright to arching, bright green and bamboo-like in appearance, with visible nodes. Leaves are opposite, ovate to lanceolate, 3-7 inches (8-18 cm) long, medium to dark green with a slight bluish cast. From mid-summer through fall, pendulous terminal racemes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long bear tiers of small white to pale pink tubular flowers subtended by conspicuous dark purple-red bracts. Flowers are followed by dark purple-black berries approximately 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter that are consumed by birds. Growth rate is rapid, with plants reaching full size within 2-3 years from planting. In mild Pacific Northwest winters, stems remain green and largely intact; in colder winters, stems may die back partially or to the ground and regrow from the base the following season, reaching 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) in a single growing season. Self-seeds readily in moist, sheltered locations and is classified as invasive in parts of New Zealand, Australia, and some Pacific islands. Volunteer seedlings appear in woodland gardens and along stream banks in the Pacific Northwest. The plant also spreads by root suckers.

Native Range

Native to the Himalayas and southwestern China, occurring from Pakistan through northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and into the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet. Found in forest margins, thickets, and disturbed areas at elevations of 3,000-10,000 feet (900-3,000 m).

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted in woodland borders, informal hedgerows, and naturalized areas where its suckering habit is acceptable. Space 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) apart for screening. Berry production provides food for birds in late summer and fall; site where self-seeding into natural areas can be monitored.

How to Identify

Identified by hollow, bright green, bamboo-like stems with visible nodes. Pendulous racemes of small white tubular flowers surrounded by tiered, dark purple-red bracts distinguish this species from other garden shrubs. Leaves are opposite, ovate, 3-7 inches (8-18 cm) long. Dark purple-black berries 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter develop in late summer and fall.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height5' - 8'
Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink
purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SummerFall
Mid-July through October in the Pacific Northwest, with peak flowering in August and September. Individual racemes bloom sequentially from top to bottom over 3-4 weeks. Total bloom period extends 10-14 weeks. Berries develop concurrently with later flowers, providing overlapping ornamental interest.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale pink flowers with dark purple-red bracts

Foliage Description

Medium to dark green with a slight bluish cast

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first growing season; established plants tolerate moderate drought but maintain fuller foliage with consistent moisture. Performs in a range of soils but grows most vigorously in moist, humus-rich conditions. Monitor for self-seeding, particularly in moist woodland areas and along waterways; remove unwanted seedlings while small. Root suckers may appear 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) from the main plant and should be removed if spread is not desired. No significant pest or disease issues in the Pacific Northwest. In areas with heavy deer pressure, browsing may reduce flowering on outer stems.

Pruning

Cut all stems to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) from the ground in late winter or early spring to maintain vigorous, upright growth and maximize flowering on new wood. Unpruned plants become leggy and sprawling with reduced flower production on older stems. Remove any winter-damaged stems to the ground in spring. Selective thinning of crowded stems can be done at any time during the growing season.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic