Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
An evergreen shrub or small tree featuring smooth, pale gray bark, small alternate dark green leathery leaves with finely toothed margins, and abundant spherical red fruit clustering densely along the stems.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal foliage and fruit production.
- Water
- Moderate water needs when young; highly drought-tolerant once established. Prefers consistently moist soil but tolerates temporary dry spells. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
- Growth
- Large evergreen shrub or small multi-stemmed tree, growing at a moderate rate to a mature height of 15 to 25 feet with a spread of 10 to 20 feet.
Care instructions
Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system, after which it exhibits high drought tolerance. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal foliage and fruit production.
Watering
Moderate water needs when young; highly drought-tolerant once established. Prefers consistently moist soil but tolerates temporary dry spells. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Soil
Adaptable to a wide range of soil types including sand, loam, and clay, provided they are well-draining. Tolerates an acidic to slightly alkaline pH range between 5.5 and 7.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 9, demonstrating strong heat and coastal salt spray tolerance.
Growth habit
Large evergreen shrub or small multi-stemmed tree, growing at a moderate rate to a mature height of 15 to 25 feet with a spread of 10 to 20 feet.
Bloom season
Flowers in spring with small, inconspicuous greenish-white blooms, followed by bright red spherical drupes that persist through the fall and winter months.
Propagation
Propagated easily from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer using rooting hormone, or from stratified seeds collected in autumn.
Common pests & issues
Generally robust and pest-resistant, but may occasionally be affected by scale insects, leaf miners, or root rot if drainage is poor.
Similar species
American Holly (Ilex opaca), which features significantly larger, spiny-margined leaves and larger individual fruits compared to the smaller, rounded, finely-toothed leaves of the Yaupon Holly.