Explore the Versatile Yaupon Holly: Native, Evergreen, and Wildlife-Friendly

The Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) is a robust native evergreen shrub or small tree found throughout the eastern United States and Mexico. Its common name, ‘yaupon,’ comes from Catawban. Historically, its leaves were used to make a ceremonial tea. This plant thrives in a wide range of conditions, from full sun to deep shade, and tolerates various soil types, drought, salt spray, and occasional flooding. To enjoy its signature bright red berries, which attract songbirds and small mammals, both male and female plants need to be present. With its small, leathery, bright green leaves, the Yaupon Holly can quickly grow into a dense screen or hedge, but it also works well as a specimen plant or in containers, making it a highly versatile choice for native, pollinator, rain, water, or winter gardens.

Sizes Available

Wholesale Only

1 Gallon

$4.00

3 Gallon

$8.00

7 Gallon

$22.00

15 Gallon

$50.00

A Yaupon Holly displays its dense evergreen foliage and clusters of bright red berries, offering year-round beauty and sustenance for wildlife.

Scientific Name: Ilex vomitoria

Common Name: Yaupon, Yaupon Holly

Hardiness Zones: 7a through 9b

Height: 10 to 20 feet

Spread: 8 to 12 feet

Growth Rate: Rapid

Foliage: Spring & Summer: Small, leathery, bright green, evergreen leaves that are not prickly, providing a fine texture year-round. Fall: Remains evergreen with no significant color change.

Bark: Thin, smooth, and light gray to almost white, becoming slightly scaly with age.

Sun: Full sun to deep shade; more sun yields more fruit and a denser canopy.

Soil: Tolerant of a wide range of soil types, including clay, sand, and loam; can withstand drought, salt spray, and occasional flooding, showcasing its adaptability.

Wildlife Value: The bright red berries are enjoyed by songbirds and small mammals. The flowers attract bees and butterflies, making it a valuable plant for pollinator gardens. It also serves as a larval host plant for the Henry’s Elfin and Holly Azure butterflies and provides winter cover.

Why Choose Yaupon Holly?

Highly Adaptable Native Evergreen:

The Yaupon Holly is a remarkably adaptable native plant, thriving in diverse conditions from full sun to deep shade. Its tolerance to various soil types, drought, salt spray, and even occasional flooding makes it a reliable choice for many landscapes.

Excellent for Hedges, Screens, and Topiary:

Its rapid growth and tolerance for heavy pruning make the Yaupon Holly an ideal choice for creating dense screens, hedges, or even artistic topiary shapes. It can be easily maintained to fit specific landscape needs.

Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) on Yaupon Holly

Attracts Pollinators and Supports Wildlife:

With its fragrant spring flowers that attract bees and butterflies, and its showy red winter berries that feed songbirds and small mammals, the Yaupon Holly is a valuable addition to any wildlife-friendly garden. It also provides essential winter cover for various species.

Drought and Salt Tolerant for Coastal Landscapes:

For coastal regions or areas prone to drought, the Yaupon Holly’s notable tolerance to both salt spray and dry conditions makes it a resilient and practical landscaping option. Its evergreen nature also provides year-round structure and beauty.

Environmental Benefits of Planting Yaupon Holly

This data is based on US Averages of healthy and mature trees over a 20-year period.

Check out the USDA’s MyTree Tool to input your custom location data.

A single yaupon holly can offset the CO₂ emissions produced by driving an average gas-powered car for 5,854 miles.

A single yaupon holly can absorb enough stormwater to fill 494 bathtubs, reducing erosion, runoff, and supporting transpiration.

A single yaupon holly removes as much air pollution as the weight of 60 smartphones.

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