Plant guide

Winterberry.

Ilex verticillata

Pronounced EYE-lex ver-ti-si-LAY-tuh

Also known as American winterberry, Black Alder, Common Winterberry, Michigan holly, Virginia Winterberry, Winterberry, black holly, black-alder

Winterberry is a wonderful deciduous holly that really shines in the landscape during the colder months. It produces bright red berries that stay on the bare branches well into winter. You will need both male and female plants to ensure you get those beautiful berries.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 6 to 10 feet
Growth rate: Medium

Care

Plant this shrub in moist, acidic soil to keep it happy. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal that the soil pH is too high. Prune it back in late winter to keep the shape tidy and encourage more berries.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, as this plant does not tolerate drying out.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, acid-loving fertilizer once in early spring before new growth starts.
Pruning: Prune in late winter while the plant is dormant to maintain its shape.
Repotting: If grown in a container, move it to a larger pot every few years when it becomes root bound.
Soil: Moist, acidic, organic rich soil
Soil pH: Acidic

Safety

Pets: The berries can be toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in large quantities.

How to identify it

Deciduous shrub with bare winter branches
Bright red berries in clusters
Simple, alternate, serrated green leaves
Small white spring flowers

Science

Family: Aquifoliaceae
Genus: Ilex
Order: Aquifoliales
Class: Magnoliopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Is your winterberry looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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