Plant Care American Holly

American Holly

About American Holly

American Holly is a relatively rare houseplant 🌿 that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

American Holly likes soil that is good at retaining moisture. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

American Holly belongs to the Ilex genus, and is native to the Central and Eastern United States.

⚠️ American Holly is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

Taxonomy

Ilex opaca
Ilex
Aquifoliaceae
Aquifoliales

How to care for American Holly

💦 Water

How often to water your American Holly

Water needs for American Holly
0.5 cups
every 9

American Holly needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of American Holly

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for American Holly in your home

Light needs and placement for plant American Holly: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

American Holly love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

American Holly does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of American Holly in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize American Holly

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for American Holly: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your American Holly after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

American Holly is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow American Holly →

Benefits of Growing American Holly →

Common American Holly Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for American Holly →


💦 Water Needs

American Holly prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

American Holly Water Frequency →

American Holly Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

American Holly requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

American Holly Light Requirements →

American Holly Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

American Holly is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

Is American Holly Edible? →

American Holly Toxicity to Cats →

American Holly Toxicity to Dogs →

American Holly Toxicity to Humans →


🪴 Soil

American Holly is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for American Holly →

Best Pots for American Holly →

When and How to Successfully Repot American Holly →

What Are Healthy American Holly Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

American Holly grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize American Holly →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

American Holly will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

American Holly Lifecycle →

American Holly Size Guide →

How and When to Prune American Holly →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors
🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in American Holly, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for American Holly

American Holly

American Holly


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

Trending in your area

Similar to American Holly

Discover rare plants