Justica Spiciger

Justicia spicigera, commonly known as Mexican Honeysuckle, is an evergreen shrub with vibrant orange, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It has soft, velvety green leaves and a somewhat sprawling growth habit. This plant is highly adaptable, thriving in warm climates and providing year-round color in frost-free areas. It is valued for its ease of care, drought tolerance, and ability to thrive in both sun and partial shade.

Growing Zones:

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11 (can be grown as an annual in cooler climates or overwintered indoors).

Mature Size:

• Height: 2-4 feet

• Width: 3-5 feet

Growing Conditions:

• Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade (best flowering in full sun).

• Soil: Well-draining, sandy or loamy soil; tolerates poor soils but thrives in fertile ground.

• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; water moderately during dry periods but avoid waterlogged conditions.

• pH Preference: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0).

• Fertilization: Light feeding in spring with a balanced fertilizer to encourage growth and blooms.

Uses in Landscaping:

• Pollinator Gardens: Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

• Borders & Hedges: Works well as a low hedge or filler plant.

• Containers: Suitable for pots in colder zones, allowing overwintering indoors.

• Erosion Control: Effective on slopes due to its spreading habit.

• Ground Cover: Can be used to fill in spaces where grass struggles to grow.

Native Range:

Justicia spicigera is native to Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America, where it thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. It naturally occurs in dry forests, scrublands, and open areas.

Maintenance Tips:

• Prune lightly to maintain shape and encourage bushy growth.

• Deadheading spent blooms encourages continuous flowering.

• Protect from frost by covering or moving potted plants indoors in colder climates.

• Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

---SHIPPING NOTICE PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS!---

 We WILL NOT refund the purchase of or the shipping cost of live plants purchased with the intent to be shipped to states that do not authorize importing live plants or to states with restrictions! Purchases to these states will be held for 30 days for pick-up at our Slidell, Louisiana store and the shipping cost associated with these purchases will be held for the care of the plant while waiting to be picked up. All sales are final. If the plant(s) purchased are not picked up within 30 days from the date of order, these items will be returned to our sales inventory and you WILL NOT be refunded. Thank you for understanding these policies.

Due to regulations, certain states have restrictions on importing plants. Please review the list below to ensure you're not attempting to order any restricted plants in your area.

**Important Note:** We do not ship any plants outside the U.S.

State-Specific Restrictions - We ARE NOT responsible for any plant(s) that are not listed in these restrictions. Purchaser bears all responsibility for making sure the plant(s) they desire to purchase are not banned from being imported to the shipping state:

Arizona: Juglans spp.  

California: Castanea spp., Juglans spp., Pinus spp., Quercus spp.  

Colorado: Some counties restrict Prunus spp. Please verify your local county regulations.  

Florida: Castanea spp., Cornus spp., Quercus spp., Cornus mas 

Georgia: Vaccinium spp.

Hawaii: Pinus spp. 

Idaho: Humulus lupulus, Mentha spp., Vitis spp.

Indiana: Fragraria spp., Rosa spp. 

Kansas: Juglans spp.

Michigan: Abies spp., Vaccinium spp.

Montana: Pinus spp.

Nevada: Allium spp.

Mentha spp. 

New Jersey: Rosa spp.  

New York: Vitis spp.  

Oregon: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Quercus spp., Sambucus nigra, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.

Texas: Juglans spp. 

Washington: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.  

Wisconsin: Abies spp., Pinus spp., Picea spp., Mentha spp. 

Additionally, we cannot ship plants in soil medium to the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, HI, ID, KS, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA.