Honeysuckles do not share one pruning date, so find out which one you have: wait until after flowering for trumpet honeysuckle, and go by when the vine blooms for the rest. Illinois Extension says a vine that blooms before about June 15 is flowering on the previous season’s growth and should be pruned after the flowers fade. NC State says trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) flowers on new growth, so avoid pruning until after flowering. Utah State says to cut vine honeysuckle back by a third as soon as it finishes blooming. This guide sits under our honeysuckle vine guide, which also explains why Japanese honeysuckle should not be planted.
What each source says
The sources are not describing the same plant, so they are kept apart here.
| Plant or source | When to prune | What to cut | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vines that bloom before about June 15 | After the flowers fade | They flower on the previous season’s growth. | Illinois Extension |
| Honeysuckle generally | Late winter | All benefit from heavy pruning to keep them from becoming overgrown and tangled. | Illinois Extension |
| Trumpet honeysuckle (L. sempervirens) | After flowering | It flowers on new growth, so avoid pruning until after it flowers. | NC State |
| Vine honeysuckle | As soon as it finishes blooming | Cut branches back by one-third. | Utah State |
| Vine honeysuckle, to reduce size | Late winter | Prune to reduce the size of the plant. | Utah State |
| Winter honeysuckle | Spring, after flowering | Prune to prevent berry spread. | Arkansas |
Illinois Extension’s two pages differ: its honeysuckle page recommends heavy late-winter pruning for all honeysuckles, while its vine-care page says that any pruning in early spring before flowering, or late in the season, often removes potential flower shoots. NC State’s trumpet honeysuckle advice, and Utah State’s cut right after bloom, are both after flowering.
Which one do you have?
Check the species before you cut. Our honeysuckle vine guide covers identification: Illinois Extension says Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) bears flowers in the leaf axils and purple-black berries, while native honeysuckles have flowers at the stem tips and red or orange berries. If you cannot tell which type you have, waiting until the vine has flowered avoids the risk Illinois Extension describes of removing the flower shoots.
- Note when the vine blooms. Illinois Extension’s test: a vine that blooms before about June 15 does so on last season’s growth.
- Prune right after the flowers fade. Illinois Extension, NC State and Utah State all point to after flowering for the cases they describe.
- Keep cuts moderate. Utah State says severely pruned plants will not bloom for 3 to 4 years.
- Use late winter only for size control. Utah State’s option when the goal is reducing size.
How hard to cut
Utah State says the more you prune, the longer the vine takes to rebloom, and that severely pruned plants will not bloom for 3 to 4 years after pruning. Illinois Extension, on the other hand, says heavy late-winter pruning keeps honeysuckles from becoming overgrown and tangled and maintains foliage and flowering quality. Utah State pairs a one-third cut right after bloom with late-winter pruning when the goal is reducing size.
Mistakes to avoid
For identification, sun, support and propagation, see our honeysuckle vine guide.
Frequently asked questions
When should I prune honeysuckle?
It depends on the type. NC State says trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) flowers on new growth, so avoid pruning until after flowering. Utah State says to cut vine honeysuckle back by one-third as soon as it finishes blooming. Illinois Extension says all honeysuckles benefit from heavy pruning in late winter.
Why do the sources disagree?
They describe different plants and goals. Illinois Extension's vine-care page says vines that bloom before about June 15 do so on the previous season's growth and should be pruned after the flowers fade, while its honeysuckle page recommends heavy late-winter pruning to keep plants from becoming overgrown.
How hard can I prune a honeysuckle vine?
Utah State says severely pruned plants will not bloom for 3 to 4 years after pruning, and that the more you prune, the longer it takes to rebloom.
What happens if I prune in early spring?
Illinois Extension says any pruning in early spring before flowering, or late in the season, often removes potential flower shoots and reduces flowers.
When do I prune winter honeysuckle?
Arkansas says to prune winter honeysuckle in the spring after flowering, to prevent berry spread.
Sources
- Honeysuckle, University of Illinois Extension
- Caring for Vines, University of Illinois Extension
- Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle), NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
- Pruning Questions and Answers, Utah State University Extension, Juab County
- Honeysuckle, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture