Yaupon holly is free of many problems plaguing other hollies, with good resistance to most diseases and pests. Potential diseases include leaf spot, leaf rot, tar spot, and powdery mildew. The shrubs have occasional issues with leafminers, spider mites, whitefly, and scale.
Light
Yaupon holly tolerates full and partial sun. However, growth in full sun will yield more berries.
Soil
The yaupon holly prefers sandy soil but grows well in diverse soil compositions. It has a high tolerance for salty soil, making it a good choice for planting near the ocean. It’s best to plant a yaupon holly in moist, dry, acidic, or alkaline soil.
Water
Yaupon hollies are not drought resistant and need to be watered regularly. Water the root ball twice or three times a week during the plant’s first year and then weekly. Use rainwater and distilled water rather than tap water and water during the morning or evening.
Temperature and Humidity
The yaupon holly can adapt to various climates but prefers slightly cooler and humid weather. It may struggle to survive winters at the higher end of its hardiness range. Yaupon hollies are generally cold-resistant.
Fertilizer
You can fertilize your yaupon holly lightly once in the spring and fall, and be sure not to fertilize during planting. You may apply a thin layer of mulch to the ground but avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.
Types of Yaupon Holly
Folsom WeepingNana/CompactaPride of HoustonSchilling’s Dwarf/Stokes DwarfWill Flemming
Pruning
While typically unnecessary, you can lightly prune a yaupon holly to maintain your desired shape or limit disease spread. If the tree is small, prune the lower side branches. If the tree is small, prune the lower side branches. You can rejuvenate badly overgrown shrubs by cutting away up to one-third of the branches. Cut selected stems down the base of the plant. When shaping as a hedge, cut the ends of branches back to 1/4 inch above a node facing the direction you want the branch to grow. Cut away suckers from the base of the plant as they appear unless your goal is to encourage the shrub to grow into a thicket.
Propagating Yaupon Holly
Yaupon holly is best propagated from small, semi-hardwood cuttings taken in the fall. Here’s how to propagate a yaupon holly:
How to Grow Yaupon Holly From Seeds
Potting and Repotting
You can pot a yaupon holly in any pot as long as it has adequate drainage, but heavy pots made of wood and terracotta are ideal. Fill your container with potting soil, loosen the plant’s roots with your fingers, and insert the shrub. Keep the soil moist and fertilize every one to two weeks.
Overwintering
The yaupon holly does well during winter and can survive in low temperatures. You may prune the shrub lightly or bundle its branches with ropes to prevent damage from heavy snowfall.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Yaupon hollies are susceptible to several pests and diseases. The most common pest found in yaupon hollies is leafminers. The eggs hatch quickly and can cause discoloration and holes in the leaves. You should remove damaged leaves manually to stop a further infestation and spray an insecticide on the plant. Remove affected leaves and adjust watering and fertilization practices as needed. Yaupon hollies can develop fungal diseases, such as black root rot and tar spot, which thrive in poorly drained soil.
Common Problems With Yaupon Holly
The yaupon holly tends to be disease and pest-resistant, except for rare infestation and disease and the resulting damage. As with any tree, pay attention to its general health and the possible presence of insects.
