What soil does English holly grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, acidic, sandy, clay.

Is English holly hardy?

Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Banská Bystrica Region, Prešov Region, Žilina Region) it may not survive winter without protection.

How far from the house should English holly be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should English holly be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 1.5 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 2.5 plants per metre.

How much water does English holly need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does English holly cost?

It sells for roughly €5.90 to €170 in local shops, depending on size.

English holly

Ilex aquifolium

English holly (Ilex aquifolium) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade, shade. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Toxic to dogs, cats and children. Sold in local shops from about €5.90.

Illustration of English holly — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A slow-growing, dense evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy dark green or variegated leaves edged with spines, at its best in winter when the red berries show. Plants are either male or female: only females carry berries, and only with a male nearby, so plant named cultivars of known sex together. Give it a sheltered spot in part shade and moist, well-drained, preferably acidic soil, because strong winter sun and freezing wind scorch the foliage and the leaves yellow on chalky ground. It clips well into an impenetrable hedge, but the leaves are prickly and the berries are poisonous.

Watch out for

In Central Europe its main weakness is winter: in hard frost without snow cover, in windy sites exposed to winter sun, the leaves turn brown, shoots may die back, and below roughly -18 to -20 °C the plant can be seriously damaged. Plant it in part shade in the shelter of a building or other evergreens and water it on frost-free winter days. It copes poorly with hot, dry summers and with chalky, heavy or waterlogged soil, where it yellows and thins out, and root rot can set in when the ground stays too wet.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 2.5 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–June, white

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	4–15 m × 3–7.5 m
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic, Sandy, Clay
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	May–June, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	150 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Toxic
Typical price	from about €5.90

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
100-120 cm	approx. €60
140-160 cm	approx. €170
size not stated	approx. €5.90 – €33

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Plants for shade Shrubs for part shade Hedge plants Evergreen hedge plants Plants for screening Evergreen plants Plants for containers

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Compare with similar plants

English holly vs Blue holly

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