Holly
Ilex aquifolium
Holly is an evergreen shrub or tree with glossy, spiny leaves and bright red winter berries on female plants. It makes a dense, wildlife-friendly hedge and is a traditional winter decoration.
Photo: Jürgen Howaldt · CC BY-SA 2.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Water young plants in dry spells.
Soil
Moist, well-drained soil; pH 5.0–7.0.
Temperature and humidity
-20–32 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed in spring with a balanced fertilizer.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings, seed
Trim hedges in late summer.
The berries are toxic if eaten, especially by children and pets.
Top Cultivation Tips
Plant a male nearby for berries on female plants.
Variegated types brighten shade.
Birds feed on the berries in winter.
Wear gloves when pruning.
Common problems
Bagworms
Caterpillars that live inside spindle-shaped silk bags covered with bits of leaf and strip evergreens and other shrubs of their foliage.
How to treat it →PestLeaf miners
Larvae of small flies and moths that tunnel inside leaves, leaving pale, winding trails.
How to treat it →PestScale insects
Immobile, shell-covered insects that cling to stems and leaves, draining sap and weakening trees and houseplants.
How to treat it →
