Tecoma Species, Cape Honeysuckle, Cape Trumpet-Flower
Tecoma capensis
Family: | Bignoniaceae (big-no-nih-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Tecoma (tek-OH-muh) (Info) |
Species: | capensis (ka-PEN-sis) (Info) |
Synonym: | Bignonia capensis |
Synonym: | Tecoma petersii |

Category:
Vines and Climbers
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Evergreen
Foliage Color:
Height:
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Danger:
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Red-Orange
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Late Fall/Early Winter
Mid Winter
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From semi-hardwood cuttings
Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
By simple layering
By air layering
By tip layering
Seed Collecting:
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Anthem, Arizona
Buckeye, Arizona
Glendale, Arizona
Goodyear, Arizona
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Maricopa, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Queen Creek, Arizona
Surprise, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Bakersfield, California
Bloomington, California
Borrego Springs, California
Boulder Creek, California(2 reports)
Canoga Park, California
Carlsbad, California
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, California
Chowchilla, California
Citrus Heights, California
Clayton, California
Escondido, California
Fairfield, California
Irvine, California
Long Beach, California(2 reports)
Los Angeles, California(2 reports)
Malibu, California
Manteca, California
Menifee, California
Norwalk, California
Oakland, California
Oceanside, California
Ontario, California
Pasadena, California
Perris, California(2 reports)
Ramona, California
Rancho Mirage, California(2 reports)
Redwood City, California
Rosedale, California
Roseville, California
San Diego, California(5 reports)
San Francisco, California
Spring Valley, California
Stockton, California
Vacaville, California(2 reports)
Van Nuys, California
Wildomar, California
Apopka, Florida
Bartow, Florida(2 reports)
Big Pine Key, Florida
Boca Raton, Florida
Bradenton, Florida
Brooker, Florida
Brooksville, Florida
Cape Coral, Florida
Casselberry, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
Deland, Florida(2 reports)
Deltona, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida(2 reports)
Fort Myers, Florida
Fountain, Florida
Gibsonton, Florida
Hollywood, Florida
Inverness, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida(2 reports)
Jupiter, Florida
Keystone Heights, Florida
Lakeland, Florida
Largo, Florida
Lynn Haven, Florida
Mc Intosh, Florida
Melbourne, Florida
Miami, Florida
Oldsmar, Florida(2 reports)
Opa Locka, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Coast, Florida
Palm Harbor, Florida
Pensacola, Florida(2 reports)
Punta Gorda, Florida
Riverview, Florida
Safety Harbor, Florida
Saint Cloud, Florida
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Spring Hill, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Titusville, Florida
Trenton, Florida
Umatilla, Florida
Venice, Florida
Wauchula, Florida
Wellborn, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
Winter Springs, Florida
Zephyrhills, Florida(3 reports)
Hawi, Hawaii
Houma, Louisiana
Zachary, Louisiana
Henderson, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada(4 reports)
Laughlin, Nevada
Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes
Abilene, Texas
Alice, Texas
Alvin, Texas(2 reports)
Anahuac, Texas
Austin, Texas(2 reports)
Baytown, Texas
Beaumont, Texas
Boerne, Texas
Broaddus, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Bryan, Texas
Cibolo, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Eagle Lake, Texas
El Paso, Texas
Georgetown, Texas
Hallettsville, Texas
Houston, Texas
Humble, Texas(2 reports)
Katy, Texas(3 reports)
La Vernia, Texas
Lampasas, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Mont Belvieu, Texas
San Antonio, Texas(2 reports)
San Benito, Texas
Santa Fe, Texas
Sour Lake, Texas
Spring Branch, Texas
Zapata, Texas
Quechee, Vermont
Gloucester, Virginia
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Jul 2, 2019, 1amore1 from San Diego, CA (Zone 10a) wrote: I have this in multiple places in my yard and I love its versatility. I'm growing it in two places along fence line as a hedge, and on a hill I have in my back yard as shrubs. I do have to occasionally cut it back to control but I don't see that as a problem/issue. I knew what I was getting planting these, and they do grow fast. The hummingbirds love it and I've also had the pleasure of having birds nest and raise their young in the shrubs. It blooms consistently here in San Diego and is a staple to my garden as it’s always lush and green. |
Neutral | On Mar 9, 2019, capecoralmamma from Cape Coral, FL wrote: In Cape Coral, FL |
Positive | On Feb 4, 2019, SubTropMigrant from Quechee, VT wrote: I brought a gallon size Tecoma Capensis plant from down south to Vermont to use as an annual for a container on my full sun exposure deck. Thinking it would add variety to my assortment of hummingbird nectar plants I was eager for the plant to perform. It had not occurred to me that the bloom cycle for this plant was photoperiodic. |
Neutral | On May 5, 2018, Rests from Bryan, TX wrote: Great plant with great blooms. I have only 2 complaints about it. One, it is not near invasive enough here in Texas. |
Neutral | On Jul 8, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: This can grow to 20-30' tall in some climates (Southern California). It spreads aggressively by suckering, and also roots where stem tips touch the ground. |
Negative | On Jun 29, 2016, ocean_girl from Gotha, FL (Zone 9b) wrote: I purchased this orange cape honeysuckle at a natives nursery and was told it is not invasive. This could not be more of a lie, it has completly taken over my garden and is now spreading to my entire yard. I have tryed to control it, didn't work. I am now in a battle of cutting it back as much as possible. I live in Orlando Fl, if you live in a simular climate Do Not plant this. If anyone knows how to get rid of it or kill it plaeas let me know. |
Positive | On Nov 5, 2013, SouthAfricaFan from Johannesburg, This is a very versatile plant. The yellow variety is neater, it forms more of a shrub and also flowers profusely. It admittedly gets less attention from sunbirds and the like than the red and orange varieties but the display compensates for that especially if combined with a similar growing shrub with purple flowers. |
Neutral | On Sep 9, 2013, bluesox from Humble, TX wrote: I put one of these in a flower bed designed to attract hummingbirds. It had beautiful flowers and was very popular with the hummingbirds. After about two weeks, the flowers, then the leaves, started to wilt. |
Positive | On May 1, 2013, RosinaBloom from Waihi, The Cape Honeysuckle conjures up childhood memories for me...my grandparents had grown a wind shelter hedge of it, and I always associate it with nana. |
Positive | On Jan 26, 2013, TLeaves from Ramona, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: This plant is great in the right situations. Drought tolerant. Lush green all year with beautiful blooms for several months. Easy to propagate. Dies back a little in temps below 25. It can be easily contained if you do so early on. |
Positive | On Aug 13, 2012, Bakersfield from Bakersfield, CA wrote: This versative, flowering plant grows as a lush 18" groundcover in the south-west side of my property (blistering-hot desert sun) and it grows as 7' tall hedge in the well-shaded north side. Despite it's dainty looks, the Cape Honeysuckle thrives here in the central California valley area (zones 8-9), despite some light die-back during particularly cold weather. Best of all, it's been totally pest-free. In fact, the bright orange blooms, which give you a non-stop show for months on end, hold no attraction whatsoever to my neighbors' voracious snails. |
Negative | On Jun 11, 2012, luvsandeigo from LA JOLLA, CA wrote: I hate this plant and would do ANYTHING to avoid it. It is invasive, aggressive and almost impossible to kill. Spreading 15' or more into the surrounding territory. It's a nightmare. It's NOT the plant you want to use unless you have a lot of time to dig and cut to control it. TOO much work. I put this plant next to Bamboo and Horsetails .... a nightmare. |
Positive | On Jul 2, 2011, faithiep from Oldsmar, FL (Zone 10b) wrote: Love love love this plant in clearwater fl. True, it is a little wild and will require pruning and watching. But if you're going for the tropical look, all your plants are pretty much like that. Made it through our Feb frosts fine. OK with minimal water, takes punishing sun. Nice in those parts of my yard that don't get much love and are away from the house. I think it should probably be the main specimen in a planting, not a supporting cast member. |
Positive | On Mar 19, 2011, ransom3 from Zephyrhills, FL wrote: Very showy in autumn. I recommend it be planted as a free-standing shrub in the lawn so that as you mow any unwanted suckers of the Tecoma will be cut down. |
Positive | On Jan 22, 2011, dvangogh from Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b) wrote: We purchased a house with Tecomaria capensis lining a fence bordering our property in 2010. It makes a great privacy screen, though during the winter most of the plants (we have about 12 individual speciments) lost their leaves, leaving our house visible to the street (which wasn't so bad). Some of the plants kept their leaves - I'm not sure if it was because of the lack of water (I watered all of the plants very infrequently over the summer) or the cold (it never got below 35F). I suspect it was the watering, since several other plants in the area have kept their leaves, and the ones on our property that kept our leaves were near a patio covered in flagstone. |
Positive | On Jan 17, 2011, 4Rose from Perris, CA wrote: We are lining our property on 2 sides with this plant as they grow to about 12 feet high. They are very hearty in the heat, but occasionly freeze back a little with a heavy frost. |
Positive | On Aug 12, 2009, terrora wrote: Greetings, |
Negative | On Oct 17, 2008, plantladylin from (Zone 1) wrote: Lovely blooms but this plant is very invasive! We spent weeks trying to eradicate it from our backyard. It was climbing high into the trees and traveling along the ground and taking over everything in sight! We thought we got it all but it is back and growing everywhere once again. |
Positive | On Oct 8, 2008, agentdonny007 from Las Vegas, NV (Zone 8b) wrote: This plant grows well in Las Vegas! Provides good color for desert landscape. May need protection from frost. Usually will grow back from roots if damaged by cold. Would recommend:) |
Positive | On Sep 5, 2008, RichNV from Henderson, NV wrote: Great plant for winter color here in Nevada. It starts to bloom right now in early September and continues through March. It may freeze back in winter. I have about 10 of these planted, and last winter some died back and some didn't. With an eastern exposure catching the early morning sun, they will survive the cold better, also helps if they are planted close to the house. With the eastern exposure they will also avoid the hot pm sun in summer which can burn the leaves here. |
Neutral | On Apr 1, 2008, GoLonnyCA from Rancho Mirage, CA wrote: I love this plant but have no luck with it. I can't tell if I'm over or under watering it - if I need a different fertilizer...please see my plants photo under "GoLonnyCA"...HELP! |
Negative | On Nov 13, 2007, aquaticnut from Henderson, NV wrote: This is a beautiful plant and grows extremely well, however the roots are extremely invasive. Give it lots of room and don't allow any valuable deep rooting plants or trees near it. I had to remove one that was planted approximately five feet from a young but tall Ash tree because it was choking it out. |
Positive | On Oct 15, 2007, SoCal78 from San Diego, CA wrote: One beautiful plant that help creates an exotic landscape, when mixed with various drought tolerant species. A good portion of San Diego is decorated with these. Grows extremely fast and needs pruning to gain spread control. Will spread like wild fire If not. |
Positive | On Sep 11, 2007, srkrause from Boulder Creek, CA (Zone 9a) wrote:
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Negative | On Jul 20, 2007, griffhoel from Gibsonton, FL wrote: You will need an entire yard for this plant in Gibsonton, FL! |
Positive | On Jun 26, 2007, Ellens_Garden from Aptos, CA wrote: This dark green with bright orange flowers looks terrific around the koi fish pond. We enclosed 10 of the 1 gallon plants within a root barrier because of the invasive root system and am glad we did so. After fertilizing with fish emulsion to encourage growth, they took off! Alternating the Cape Honeysuckle with the 10 Mexican Marigolds creates a colorful and cheerful area. |
Positive | On Mar 28, 2006, JaxFlaGardener from Jacksonville, FL (Zone 8b) wrote: This plant roots freely at any point where the cascading limbs touch the soil, but I would not call it "invasive." The new plants can be easily dug up and transplanted (or traded in plant swaps!) |
Positive | On Dec 28, 2005, almcfarla from Baytown, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: So far its doing well. Its a rampant bloomer through my Houston winters when not much else is blooming. It has a beautiful color. |
Positive | On Sep 7, 2004, jkom51 from Oakland, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: Although the foliage is very beautiful and useful in flower arrangements, note that the flowers themselves do not seem to do well in floral arrangements. Once cut, the flowers fall off the spikes very quickly (within a few days). This is a very aggressive, fast growing plant in warmer areas. |
Positive | On Jun 5, 2004, Bairie from Corpus Christi, TX (Zone 10a) wrote: They are very popular in Corpus Christi, TX, and south to the border. Solid blooms right now and all summer. Blooms all year. Not invasive here. Beautiful foliage for cut flower arrangements! |
Positive | On Jun 4, 2004, jjergins from Abilene, TX (Zone 7a) wrote: This grows in Zone 7b, in West Texas heat and blooms in mid summer to late autumn. It dies back each year and reemerges in late spring. It is not invasive here. |
Positive | On May 22, 2004, nanette0269 from Bradenton, FL (Zone 9b) wrote: I've just planted two 3-gallon plants in two different locations...one in full sun against a wood fence, and the other in part sun against the same wood fence, but surrounding by more foliage (full sun for 11a-2pm only). The one in full sun is doing significantly better. Its already grown about 8-10" tall and about the same wide, while the other has grown 2". I'm still optimistic for the second one, as its planted near some other bushes that were recently transplanted and havent been doing too well so maybe there is just more transplant shock as a result of this area's dirt (there was more milorganite in the soil there as well, so maybe it was over fertilized?)...so maybe its just the soil, but at least its holding its own. Maybe by fall, I'll have a picture of them both up on the site... read more |
Positive | On Oct 21, 2003, GBusard wrote: This plant is a lovely addition to a hedge line between neighbors on Longboat Key, Florida. It does get a bit woody as it ages, and needs to be pruned semi-annually so that it does not overtake the area. |
Positive | On Oct 28, 2002, CoyoteSpirit from Citrus Heights, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: It blooms in fall and winter for me...humming birds love it and it is drought and poor soil tollorent. Will die if frezes so it needs protection. |
Neutral | On Aug 29, 2002, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: This honeysuckle is an evergreen and grows moderately fast. It prefers well-drained soil. Prune after flowering is done. |