Shrub
Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
Monrovia® varieties
Varieties We Carry
SchellingsIlex vomitoriaSchillingsIlex vomitoriaSchellingIlex vomitoria
Sizes & Pricing
3 galFrom$14.95
7 galFrom$44.95
#10MonroviaFrom$374.95
15 galFrom$125.00
30 galFrom$260.00
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 15.
LightFull Sun, Part Shade
WaterLow
Mature size15-25 feet × 15-25 feet
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
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Handles summer heat well once established.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
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.
Water
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.
Soil & Fertilizer
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.
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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.