Myrtle leaf holly is a shrub in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae). It is native across the South from North Carolina to Texas. It can be found in the moist woods of the coastal plains, uncultivated in swamps and in rich moist soils. Occasionally it is also found on high sandy banks of pine barren streams. The species epithet is Latin for “myrtle leaf” and highlights the similarity in leaf shape between this species and the common myrtle ( Myrtus communis ). Myrtle leaf holly will grow in full sun or partial shade and prefers a moist site and acidic soil. The plant does not do well when its roots are disturbed, so you should place the plants into their permanent positions and provide some winter protection for their first year or two. Flowers are produced on the current year's growth. The plant is very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back to old wood if required. Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring. Like most hollies, the seeds of myrtle leaf holly require two to three years of dormancy before they will germinate. Myrtle leaf holly tolerates wet and shady sites and is moderately salt tolerant; however, it is not winter hardy below Zone 7a. The plant is noted for its very nice red and yellow fruit set in fall and winter and would make a good hedge in a wetland area. It would be an excellent addition to a shade, native plant, rain, or pollinator garden. Plant multiples to ensure both male and female plants are present for fruit production. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Myrtle leaf holly is relatively pest and disease-free. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and insect pests. More information on Ilex .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Conical; Open; Oval; Pyramidal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery; Smooth
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Thick shiny evergreen leaves are oblong, oblanceolate or lanceolate, 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long with entire margins or sometimes a few sharp teeth above the middle. The underside of the wax-myrtle type leaves have no glands and are paler.
Flower color
Green; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Cyme; Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers are dioecious. The male flowers are small, greenish white in short branched clusters. The female flowers have 4 small greenish white petals and can occur solitary or in small clusters.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Fruit value
Long-lasting
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Berry like drupe 1/4 inch diameter, usually red but may be yellow; persistent from fall through winter.
Bark color
Dark Gray
Bark detail
Dark Gray, thin, smooth to warty when young but becoming scaly with age.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Alabama
Distribution
Virginia to Florida and west to Texas. Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba, Puerto Rico
Wildlife value
Fruits are attractive to birds. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi.
Attracts
Songbirds; Specialized Bees
Play value
Buffer; Edible fruit; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Edibility
Use caution. Human consumption of berries can cause minor toxic reaction.