Even though hollies are generally tough-as-nails and pretty low-maintenance, you might occasionally notice those glossy leaves changing color or dropping off. If your holly is looking a little sad, there are usually a few common culprits behind it.
Dealing with Brown Leaves
Hollies are happiest in a spot with full sun to partial shade. They prefer soil that is slightly acidic (low lime) and consistently moist. The big “no-nos” for holly are waterlogged soil or letting them dry out completely. Believe it or not, your Ilex actually needs a drink during the winter, too! On sunny, frost-free winter days, the leaves evaporate a lot of moisture. If the plant can’t pull water from the frozen or dry ground, it can actually die of thirst. You’ll see this show up as brown, crispy leaves that eventually fall off.
On the flip side, “wet feet” (constantly soggy soil) will also cause leaves to turn yellow or brown. If your soil is staying soaked, stop watering immediately. If you have heavy clay soil that doesn’t drain well, you might even need to consider moving the shrub to a better spot.
Keep in mind that if you’ve just put a new holly in the ground, it needs time to settle in. Moving or repotting is stressful for the plant, and it often reacts by dropping some leaves. Just keep it well-watered to help those roots establish and encourage new growth.
Proactive Care Tips
The secret to a thriving holly starts with picking the right location. A balanced mix of sun and shade is key. Here are a few other things to keep in mind:
- Keep the soil consistently moist.
- Make sure the water can drain away (no standing water!).
- Aim for acidic soil with low lime content.
- Give it regular water during dry spells—even in the winter when the ground isn’t frozen.
Brown Leaves in the Spring
It’s very common to notice some discoloration in the springtime. Usually, this is just a hangover from a dry winter. However, don’t panic—sometimes it’s just nature doing its thing! Hollies naturally shed their older leaves from time to time to make room for fresh, vibrant new growth.
To give your holly a little boost, give it some extra water in the spring. This helps the plant push out strong, healthy new shoots for the season ahead.
