Holly is a tree, a long-term addition to the landscape. It's hardy across USDA zones 5 through 11 and shrugs off deer. Its mid spring flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees.
Zones
5-11
pH Range
4.5-7
Sun
Shade
Days to Maturity
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Score Holly on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether holly actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score holly against your land's real conditions.
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What Holly is
Holly grows as a perennial and reaches around 30 feet at maturity. It blooms yellow in mid spring. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Holly
Holly grows in USDA zones 5 through 11. Holly does best in shade — at least 2 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.5 to 7, on well-drained ground. It needs about 400 hours of winter chill, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
5-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.5 - 7
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Shade
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
-20°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
30 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Chill Hours
400+
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
0+
plant_species_v5.csv
Plant it right
Set holly in shade with well-drained soil. Many fruit trees need a second variety nearby to pollinate — check before you plant just one.
Match the soil
Holly prefers pH 4.5 to 7 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Be patient, then harvest
Prune annually while the tree establishes; fruit trees reward patience with years of harvest. Local Extension guides publish per-cultivar bearing-age tables.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — holly is toxic to dogs and cats (mild severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Holly offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Holly thrives
Holly is hardy across USDA zones 5 through 11. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 5–11·Where Holly growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Holly can grow in these states:
See if Holly will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether holly actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Holly in my zone?
Holly grows in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Holly?
Set holly out in early spring or fall while it's dormant, so the roots establish before the heat of summer. Your local last-frost date — which a Growable Ground report pulls for your exact address — sets the precise window.
How much sun does Holly need?
Holly is shade-tolerant — it gets by on as little as 2 hours of direct sun, so it earns a place most vegetables can't use. A north-facing strip or the ground under a leafy canopy is right where it belongs. A Growable Ground report shows which corners of your land stay shaded through the day, turning those dim spots into planting spots.
What soil does Holly need?
Holly prefers soil pH 4.5 to 7, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Holly attract pollinators?
Yes — holly's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Holly safe for pets?
Holly is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with mild severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.