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Shrub · Aquifoliaceae family

Japanese holly

Ilex crenata

Full sun to part shade in a garden 0.9–1.5 m × 0.9–1.5 m Flowers May–June to −29 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
in a garden after 10 years0.9–1.5 m
in the wild up to 3 m
spacing 1.5 m
FlowersMay–June
PlantingMarch–April, September–October
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic soil
acidicneutralalkaline
average to moistclayloamysandy

Watering

only in dry spellsless when it rains

Frost

−29 °C
no winter protectiongreen in winter too

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

1 m2 m3 m1.5–3 mspread 1.5–2.4 m
1.5–3 m× spread 1.5–2.4 m

Plant 1.5 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June · white

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, September–October

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

What to plant now (October) full list in October (244) →

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 40 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level

What you will see

Fine yellow dots, bronzing, webbing and leaf drop (mites on hollies, including I. crenata).

The source says: Japanese holly is an especially susceptible host.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • monitor: tap branches over white paper
  2. By hand when presentrinse the foliage with a strong jet of water, especially the leaf undersides
  3. Gentle spray when presence is confirmedinsecticidal soap or horticultural oil (2%), only on well-watered plants, at 7–32 °C
Spider mitespestHigh risk

What you will see

Fine yellow dots, bronzing, webbing and leaf drop (mites on hollies, including I. crenata).

The source says: Japanese holly is an especially susceptible host.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • monitor: tap branches over white paper
  2. By hand when presentrinse the foliage with a strong jet of water, especially the leaf undersides
  3. Gentle spray when presence is confirmedinsecticidal soap or horticultural oil (2%), only on well-watered plants, at 7–32 °C
More about this problem

Black root rot

Thielaviopsis basicola
disease

What you will see

Decline, yellowing, dying branches; black roots. I. crenata is very susceptible.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • good drainage, raised beds
    • do not overwater
    • do not plant too deep, little mulch at the root collar
  2. By hand when presentremove affected plants (they cannot be cured); plant another holly (e.g. Chinese) in the spot after improving drainage
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helps —fungicide drenches are generally not recommended in gardens
Black root rotdisease

What you will see

Decline, yellowing, dying branches; black roots. I. crenata is very susceptible.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • good drainage, raised beds
    • do not overwater
    • do not plant too deep, little mulch at the root collar
  2. By hand when presentremove affected plants (they cannot be cured); plant another holly (e.g. Chinese) in the spot after improving drainage
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helps —fungicide drenches are generally not recommended in gardens
Sources (3)

What to combine it with

Same needs, different flowering.

They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.

garden dahlia

garden dahlia

0.3–1.9 m
✓flowers July–October
✓lower — for the front
panicle hydrangea

panicle hydrangea

1.5–5 m
✓flowers July–September
✓taller — for the back
rose of Sharon

rose of Sharon

2.4–3.6 m
✓flowers June–October
✓taller — for the back

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does Japanese holly flower?

In May–June; the flowers are white.

Does Japanese holly tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does Japanese holly need?

At maturity 1.5–2.4 m wide and 1.5–3 m tall; recommended spacing 1.5 m.

Black root rot — what can you do?

good drainage, raised beds remove affected plants (they cannot be cured); plant another holly (e.g. Chinese) in the spot after improving drainage

Spider mites — what can you do?

monitor: tap branches over white paper rinse the foliage with a strong jet of water, especially the leaf undersides

Sources (15) Checked 24 October 2026

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