American Holly
Ilex opaca
Last reviewed: June 2026
American Holly is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
360"–600" H × 240"–360" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 22 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles, wasps
Browse plants for this ecoregion
American holly is a stately evergreen tree with glossy, spiny dark green leaves and bright red berries on female plants. It grows slowly into a pyramidal shape and provides year-round structure and winter interest to the landscape.
In an HOA neighborhood
American Holly takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
Wildlife value
Host plant for henry's elfin, holly azure.
The small spring flowers attract bees, beetles, and wasps for pollination. The red berries are an important winter food source for birds including robins, cedar waxwings, and woodpeckers.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like American Holly and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.