Holly
Ilex aquifolium · Aquifoliaceae
📷 Paulo Etxeberria · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Houx : saponines et alcaloïdes. Chiens/chats : troubles digestifs, vomissements. Humains enfants : irritation buccale, nausées, diarrhée par ingestion de baies.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around holly and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green, glossy and spiny
- Flowering
- April to May, small discreet white flowers
- Fruits
- Brilliant red berries (autumn-winter) on female plants
- Adult size
- Up to 4 m in height, dense shrubby form
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (−15 °C and below)
- Origin
- Western Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa
- Soil type
- All soils, even poor and chalky
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Holly produces stunning red berries if you have both a male and female plant. Positioning the male slightly back helps with pollination.
The common mistake
Planting a single holly and expecting berries: most holly plants are female and sterile without male pollen.
The pro's trick
Plant at least one male for every three female plants.
Care
Exposure
Holly appreciates full sun for optimal fruiting, but tolerates partial shade well. In very hot Mediterranean climates, protection from afternoon rays can prevent foliage yellowing. The sunnier the exposure, the more abundant the red berries will be.
Watering
Once established, holly is very drought-tolerant and requires little watering. For the first two years after planting, keep the soil slightly moist during prolonged dry spells. Avoid standing moisture that could promote root rot.
Soil
Holly adapts to almost all soil types, even poor, acidic or chalky ones. Well-drained soil is preferable. Incorporate compost or potting soil when planting to facilitate rooting, particularly in very compact soil.
Pruning and shaping
Prune lightly after flowering (late May-June) to maintain a dense, balanced shape. Avoid severe pruning that would reduce fruiting for the year. Holly tolerates rejuvenation pruning well if needed. Wear gloves: the foliage is very spiny.
Fertilizing
An annual application of well-decomposed compost in spring is more than sufficient. In very poor soil, a light application of balanced fertilizer at the start of the growing season can support growth. No overfeeding: holly prefers modest conditions.
Diseases and pests
Holly is generally very robust. Watch for scale insects and aphids, especially in container growing. Powdery mildew can appear in humid years; improve air circulation around the plant. No serious diseases regularly affect it under normal conditions.
Did you know?
Holly is intimately linked to European winter traditions: its branches with red berries and evergreen foliage symbolize life and hope during the dark months, hence its traditional use in Christmas decorations. The Romans already gave it as gifts during the Saturnalia. Caution: the red berries, though decorative, contain saponins and can cause digestive upset in children and some domestic animals if ingested.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Yaupon hollyIlex vomitoria
- Japanese hollyIlex crenata
- Yerba mateIlex paraguariensis
- Highclere hollyIlex altaclerensis
- Ilex meserveaeIlex meserveae
- WinterberryIlex verticillata
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.