Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Sep 16, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Yaupon Holly
Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) is the only caffeine-containing plant native to North America, a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree found throughout the southeastern US. Female plants produce abundant small red berries that persist through winter and are highly attractive to birds, while the fine-textured dark green foliage responds well to pruning and shaping. Extremely adaptable to wet, dry, and salt-spray conditions, it is one of the toughest native plants for Florida landscapes. Starting at $14.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Clay, Acidic, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Handles summer heat well once established.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Yaupon holly grows in full sun to part shade and is extremely adaptable; in NE Florida, full sun produces the densest growth and most prolific berry set on female plants, while part shade is tolerated without significant decline.
Once established, yaupon holly is highly drought tolerant and thrives on NE Florida's natural rainfall with little to no supplemental irrigation; it also tolerates periodic wet conditions, making it one of the most adaptable native shrubs for variable Florida soils.
Yaupon holly adapts to virtually any well-drained or periodically wet soil — sand, loam, or clay — and tolerates a wide pH range including acidic Florida soils. Fertilize annually in spring with a balanced slow-release shrub fertilizer; established plants need little additional care.
Similar needs
Beautyberry
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Chinese Holly
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
Distylium
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
Wild Coffee
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Jamaican Caper
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, and pollinator-friendly.
Firebush
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
You may also like
Common questions
Is Yaupon Holly a good plant for St. Augustine?
Yaupon Holly is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 15-25 feet × 15-25 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.