Chinese Holly
Ilex cornuta
An evergreen shrub featuring glossy, dark green leaves with characteristic distinct spiny points, typically rectangular to oblong in shape with few spines.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring approximately 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Water
- Water deeply and regularly when newly planted to establish a strong root system. Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance, but performs best with regular watering when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Growth
- Dense, rounded evergreen shrub growing at a moderate rate to a mature height and spread of 8 to 10 feet.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade with consistently moist, well-draining acidic soil. Water deeply during dry periods and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring approximately 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Watering
Water deeply and regularly when newly planted to establish a strong root system. Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance, but performs best with regular watering when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Soil
Prefers rich, organic, well-draining soil with an acidic to neutral pH range between 5.0 and 6.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 9
Growth habit
Dense, rounded evergreen shrub growing at a moderate rate to a mature height and spread of 8 to 10 feet.
Bloom season
Spring, producing small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers that are fragrant.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer, treated with rooting hormone, or by seed.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to scale insects, spider mites, leaf spot, and chlorosis when planted in alkaline soil conditions.
Similar species
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata), which can be distinguished by its smaller, rounded leaves lacking sharp spines.