The beautiful tubular flowers of the Honeysuckle are lovely to admire and give off a sweet floral scent. What’s more, this perennial is low maintenance, making it a well-loved favorite with many gardeners. Watering is an important part of plant care, and while Honeysuckle shrubs are no exception, less is more when it comes to watering this plant. A consistent watering routine helps young plants grow a strong root system. Established plants are not as thirsty as young plants, but it is essential to understand when to water Honeysuckle.
How To Tell If Honeysuckle Needs Watered
Checking the soil is often the best way to tell when Honeysuckle, or any type of plant, needs water. There are some subtle signs to look for to help determine when to water Honeysuckle, although, by the time the plant shows signs of dehydration, it is very dry and needs a drink. The leaves may droop or turn yellow and brown. Dry leaf tips are a sign the plant has had too much water.
How Often To Water Honeysuckle
Keep the soil damp for newly planted Honeysuckle. Be careful not to overwater because Honeysuckle shrubs do not like soggy soil. Water when the top few inches of soil feel slightly damp. Keeping the soil damp allows the roots to reach and grow and will set the plant up for success in future growing seasons.
Acclimated plants prefer to dry out between watering sessions and are even drought tolerant. Rain is often enough to support healthy growth; an established shrub may not even need to be watered at all. While Honeysuckle is drought tolerant, the plant will thrive with water during an extended dry period.
You can overwater Honeysuckle. Do not water young plants if the soil is wet; established plants do not need water if the soil is damp. Too much water can damage the roots and even kill the plant.
Potted Honeysuckle needs more water than landscape plants. Water when the soil is damp since container-grown plants are prone to drying out. The container must have drainage because while potted Honeysuckle needs supplemental water, they still do not want to be waterlogged.
Best Time To Water Honeysuckle
Water Honeysuckle when the plant is actively growing during the growing season. You can cut back on the water in the fall to help the plant make the seasonal transition. Anytime the plant is dry and showing signs of dehydration is a good time to water, but mornings are the best time to water, especially when the plant is grown in a warm region.
How to Water Honeysuckle
Step 1 - Feel the soil and evaluate if the Honeysuckle plant needs water.
The leaves will be wilted or fall away if the plant needs water, and the soil should be dry to the touch for established plants.
Step 2 - Water the soil at the base of the shrub to saturate the root zone.
Drench the soil to saturate the roots and help establish a strong and viable root system.
Step 3 - Monitor the weather.
Honeysuckle is not very thirsty, and this plant is drought tolerant, but plants should be watered during a dry period to keep them healthy and growing.
Step 4 - Avoid overwatering Honeysuckle.
Plant in well-draining soil and give the plant no more than an inch or two of water to satisfy the plant's thirst without drowning it.
Honeysuckle Watering Tips
- Newly planted Honeysuckle and container-grown plants need water when the top few inches of soil feel damp.
- Established Honeysuckle only needs water during an extended drought.
- Look at the plant for signs of drying out, like drooping or discolored foliage.
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Author Alison Cotsonas - Published 07-21-2022 |