Do I need two plants for berries?

Yes, you need at least one male plant nearby to pollinate the female for berry production.

How fast does it grow?

It is a moderate grower, typically adding 30 to 60 centimeters per year.

Plant guide

Chinese holly.

Ilex cornuta

Pronounced EYE-leks kor-NOO-tuh

Also known as Chinese holly, Horned Holly

Ilex cornuta — Photo by Vince Hale (CC0) via gbif

The Chinese holly is a sturdy evergreen shrub known for its glossy, rectangular leaves with sharp spines. It produces bright red berries that stay on the branches through winter. This plant makes a beautiful, dense hedge or a standalone specimen in your garden.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 10 to 15 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this holly in well draining soil and keep it consistently moist while it gets established. Watch for yellowing leaves which can signal poor drainage or nutrient issues. Prune in late winter to maintain your desired shape.

Watering: Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring.
Pruning: Trim back long branches in late winter before new growth starts.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound or you need to refresh the soil.
Soil: Loamy, acidic, well draining soil
Soil pH: 5.0 to 6.5
Temperature: -20 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Noticeable decline in growth rate.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant, especially the berries, can cause nausea or vomiting if eaten.
Pets: The berries and leaves are considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep small children away from the bright red berries, as they are tempting but toxic if swallowed.
Contact allergens: The sharp, spiny leaf tips can cause mechanical skin irritation or minor scratches.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is generally not considered a significant allergen for most people.
Edibility: The berries are mildly toxic if ingested and should never be consumed by humans.

How to identify it

Glossy dark green rectangular leaves
Sharp spines at leaf corners
Bright red spherical berries
Dense evergreen growth habit

Height: 2.5 to 4.5m
Spread: 2 to 3.5m
Leaves: dark green, glossy, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: bright red, Autumn to winter

Problems to watch for

Scale insects · Small sap sucking insects that can cause yellowing leaves and stunted growth.
Leaf spot · Fungal infections that create dark spots on foliage during humid weather.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your chinese holly from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect roots from temperature swings. Ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged during dry winter spells.
In containers: It grows well in large containers, provided the pot is at least 50 centimeters wide to accommodate root growth.

Semi-hardwood cuttings

1. Take 10 to 15 centimeter cuttings in late summer.
2. Remove lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a well draining potting mix and keep humid until rooted.

Group these with other acid loving shrubs to simplify soil amendment and fertilization needs.

Grows well with

Azalea · They share similar acidic soil requirements and thrive in partial shade.
Gardenia · The glossy foliage of both plants creates a beautiful, lush texture contrast.
Camellia · These evergreen shrubs provide excellent year round structure in the same garden bed.

Similar species

English Holly · It has similar red berries but lacks the distinct rectangular leaf shape.
Yaupon Holly · A smaller, native alternative that also produces abundant red berries.

Science

Family: Aquifoliaceae
Genus: Ilex
Order: Aquifoliales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern China and Korea.
Conservation: This plant is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It thrives in woodland edges where it can access dappled sunlight and well drained soil.

Value to wildlife: winter food source for birds, dense cover for nesting
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental hedge, winter interest, holiday decor, privacy screen

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need two plants for berries?: Yes, you need at least one male plant nearby to pollinate the female for berry production.
How fast does it grow?: It is a moderate grower, typically adding 30 to 60 centimeters per year.

Where the name comes from

The species name cornuta refers to the horn like spines on the leaves, while Ilex is the ancient Latin name for holly.

Good to know

It is commonly called the Chinese holly.
The berries persist well into winter, providing a splash of color.
It is very tolerant of heat compared to other holly species.
The leaves are so stiff they can be quite prickly to handle.

Also in

Keep your chinese holly growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on November 7, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.