A mature Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Border · Foundation · Hedge · Mass planting · Small tree · Woodland · Asian · Cottage

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Japanese Holly

Ilex crenata · Perennial

Japanese Holly is a slow-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 5-8, that matures to about 5–10 ft × 5–8 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-wet soil. Expect green and white blooms in spring and summer. It attracts bees and pollinators, stands up well to deer and drought and pests.

USDA zones: 5-8
Sun: Full sun, Part shade
Water: Medium
Mature size: 5–10 ft × 5–8 ft
Growth rate: Slow
Maintenance: Medium
Soil: Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-wet
Bloom color: Green, White
Bloom season: Spring, Summer
Attracts: Bees, Pollinators
Tough against: Deer, Drought, Pests, Pollution
Toxic to: People
Native to: Sakhalin Island, Japan, Korea

Will it survive your winters?

We score Japanese Holly’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8