Hollyleaf Cherry
Prunus ilicifolia
Last reviewed: September 2026
Prunus ilicifolia is an evergreen tree with glossy, holly-like leaves and small white spring flowers, well suited to full sun and low-water landscapes in California.
Hollyleaf Cherry is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (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.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Hollyleaf Cherry as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
240"–480" H × 240"–480" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
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Hollyleaf cherry is a large evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, dark green leaves with spiny edges resembling holly and produces small white flowers in spring followed by red to dark purple cherries. This drought-tolerant plant can be grown as a specimen tree or pruned into a dense hedge or screen.
Growing Hollyleaf Cherry
Grow Hollyleaf Cherry in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 240 to 480 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Hollyleaf Cherry is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- Can grow quite large if not maintained
- Fruit drop may create temporary mess on hardscapes
Wildlife value
Host plant for echo blue butterfly, pale swallowtail butterfly.
Hollyleaf cherry provides excellent habitat value, attracting bees and butterflies with its spring blooms. Birds and small mammals eat the cherry fruits when ripe.
Common questions
- When does hollyleaf cherry bloom?
- Hollyleaf cherry typically flowers from March through May, producing small clusters of white blossoms along the branches.
- What pollinators visit hollyleaf cherry flowers?
- Bees and butterflies are the most common visitors to hollyleaf cherry flowers, drawn to the nectar produced during its spring bloom period.
- How much water does hollyleaf cherry need once established?
- Once established, hollyleaf cherry does well with low supplemental water and is often grown in dry, well-drained landscapes such as chaparral and coastal scrub settings.
- Does hollyleaf cherry lose its leaves in winter?
- No, hollyleaf cherry is evergreen and keeps its glossy, spiny-toothed leaves year round, giving it a holly-like appearance.
- What kind of light does hollyleaf cherry prefer?
- Hollyleaf cherry grows best in full sun but can also tolerate part sun to part shade, especially in hotter inland locations.
- Is Hollyleaf Cherry toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Hollyleaf Cherry is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Hollyleaf Cherry toxic to cats?
- Yes. Hollyleaf Cherry is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Hollyleaf Cherry toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Hollyleaf Cherry as toxic to livestock.
- Is Hollyleaf Cherry HOA-friendly?
- Hollyleaf Cherry is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Hollyleaf Cherry and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.
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