Flame Honeysuckle
Anisacanthus quadrifidus
A compact, very drought-tolerant shrub with vibrant orange-red flowers that draw bees and butterflies from summer through late fall.
Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; fully root-hardy through low-desert frosts and unbothered by extreme summer heat, freezing to the ground only in the coldest snaps.
AMWUA Notes
A genuinely very-low-water Chihuahuan shrub; overwatering causes floppy growth, so lean dry for compact form.
Care Guide
Very drought tolerant; water every 2 weeks in peak summer for best bloom and let it go nearly dry between soaks the rest of the year.
Cut back hard to a few inches in late winter since it blooms on new wood; this keeps the small shrub tidy and floriferous.
Little to no fertilizer is needed; a light spring feed can boost bloom in poor soil.
Essentially pest-free in the desert garden.
Deciduous and root-hardy, it freezes back in winter and flushes new growth and orange-red tubular flowers from summer into late fall, timed to migrating hummingbirds and butterflies.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Adaptable to most well-drained desert soils including caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5.
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
Easily from softwood cuttings or seed.
2 ft
Small, non-invasive root system; ideal beside hardscape and pools.
Placement Tips
- •At only about 1-2 ft it works as a front-of-border edger or in containers; space on 2 ft centers for a low drift.
- •Tuck along walkway edges and pool decking where its small size and low litter are assets.
- •Mass several together for a fuller color statement, since a single plant reads small.
- •Give it full sun and reflected heat, which it handles without complaint.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Flame Honeysuckle. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Flame Honeysuckle — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Flame Honeysuckle need in Phoenix?
Flame Honeysuckle is a very low-water shrub once established. Very drought tolerant; water every 2 weeks in peak summer for best bloom and let it go nearly dry between soaks the rest of the year. A genuinely very-low-water Chihuahuan shrub; overwatering causes floppy growth, so lean dry for compact form.
How big does Flame Honeysuckle get?
Expect roughly 1 ft tall and 2 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 2 ft of spacing when planting. Small, non-invasive root system; ideal beside hardscape and pools.
Can you plant Flame Honeysuckle near a pool?
Yes. Flame Honeysuckle is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Flame Honeysuckle handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Flame Honeysuckle is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; fully root-hardy through low-desert frosts and unbothered by extreme summer heat, freezing to the ground only in the coldest snaps. Deciduous and root-hardy, it freezes back in winter and flushes new growth and orange-red tubular flowers from summer into late fall, timed to migrating hummingbirds and butterflies.
Does Flame Honeysuckle have thorns?
No. Flame Honeysuckle is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Flame Honeysuckle safe around pets?
Flame Honeysuckle is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Flame Honeysuckle bloom in Arizona?
Flame Honeysuckle blooms in summer-late fall, with orange-red flowers. The bloom draws bees, butterflies.
How much maintenance does Flame Honeysuckle need?
Flame Honeysuckle is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Cut back hard to a few inches in late winter since it blooms on new wood; this keeps the small shrub tidy and floriferous.
What kind of soil does Flame Honeysuckle need?
Adaptable to most well-drained desert soils including caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5. Nutrient needs are low. Little to no fertilizer is needed; a light spring feed can boost bloom in poor soil.
Is Flame Honeysuckle native to Arizona?
No. Flame Honeysuckle is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Chihuahuan Desert, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.