Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis): Invasive Risk in Florida

A gardener in Daytona Beach considered planting orange cape honeysuckle near a fence with ligustrum, plumeria, and foxtail palms but worried about invasiveness. The verdict: avoid it.

Why It's Problematic

• Aggressive spread: Suckers prolifically from roots and stems that root wherever they touch soil.
• Deep, extensive roots: Invade neighboring beds, lawns, and hardscapes.
• Difficult eradication: Requires persistent digging, herbicide, or both.
• Listed invasive: Audubon Society of South Florida, Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, and agencies in AZ, CA, TX classify it as invasive.

Native Range & Behavior

Native to South Africa, it naturalizes aggressively in subtropical climates (USDA 9–11). In coastal Florida, it escapes cultivation rapidly, outcompeting natives.

Better Alternatives for Coastal Florida

• Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens): Native, non-invasive, red tubular flowers attract hummingbirds.
• Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata): Evergreen vine, orange-red blooms, well-behaved.
• Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens): Fragrant yellow flowers, twining vine, native.
• Firebush (Hamelia patens): Shrubby, red-orange tubular flowers, butterfly magnet.

If You Must Grow It

Confine to a large, sturdy container on a hardscape surface (not soil). Prune aggressively to prevent seeding and suckering. Monitor constantly.

Resources

• Florida Native Plant Society: fnps.org – region-specific native plant lists.
• Broward Audubon Invasive Plants: Invasive Plant List