4 named cultivars

shrub

Chinese Holly

Ilex cornuta

The Story

Plant Bio

Ilex cornuta, Chinese holly, is a dense broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree native to eastern China and Korea, reaching eight to fifteen feet. Its glossy dark leaves are distinctively rectangular with a few stiff spines at the corners, and bright red berry-like drupes ripen on female plants and persist right through winter.

Unusually among hollies it can set fruit without pollination, so a lone female still berries heavily — which is why the 'Burfordii' selection became so widely planted. The leaf spines are stiff and genuinely sharp, so site it away from paths, and note the berries are mildly toxic to people in quantity though birds take them freely.

Uses & Benefits:

Glossy spined evergreen foliage with heavy red berries holding all winter.

Tolerates heat, humidity, drought and pollution, and makes an effective barrier.

Berries feed songbirds through winter; flowers support bees including a specialist Colletes species.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

138 inches

Width

138 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Eastern China and Korea

Toxicity

Berries toxic if ingested

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring or autumn in well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Choose full sun to partial shade.
Allow eight to fifteen feet of width for the species.
Water through the first two seasons.
Prune in late winter to shape if needed.
Site it away from paths; the leaf spines are sharp.

Pro Tip

Buy 'Burfordii' or a similar selection if you want berries from a single plant — most hollies need a male nearby, and this species does not.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in well-drained acidic soil 🌱
Site it clear of paths and doorways ⚠️
Prune in late winter to shape ✂️
Leave berries for winter birds 🐦

Don't

Plant in alkaline or waterlogged soil ❌
Let children eat the berries ❌
Shear it where the spines will catch people ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Evergreen screen or barrier hedgeWinter-berry specimenFoundation and boundary planting

Companion Plants

CamelliaAzalea NandinaYaupon Holly Loropetalum

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Chinese Holly questions

What zones can Chinese Holly grow in?

Chinese Holly is hardy in USDA Zones 7–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Chinese Holly deer resistant?

Yes — Chinese Holly is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Chinese Holly bloom?

Chinese Holly typically blooms in spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Chinese Holly need full sun?

Chinese Holly does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Chinese Holly drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Chinese Holly handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.