Green holly

Green · Aquifoliaceae

Holly

Ilex aquifolium

Also known as English holly and Christmas holly

Glossy evergreen leaves and red berries, traditionally tied to protection and winter festivity.

Colour: Green

Traditionally, protection and foresight.

Use in a bouquet All flowers

Toxic to cats and dogs. Read the pet-safety note

Peak season
Nov–Dec
Vase life
7–14 days
Birth month
December
Colours
2

What the holly means

Long before it became a Christmas green, holly was brought indoors during midwinter in parts of Europe, and it was traditionally thought to protect homes from harm. Christian tradition later read the prickly leaves as the crown of thorns and the red berries as drops of blood, and the carol "The Holly and the Ivy" joined it to its old partner. In the Victorian language of flowers holly meant foresight. It is one of December's birth flowers in the US tradition and remains a favorite for winter arrangements.

Flower meanings come mostly from Victorian floriography, and they vary between books, eras, and cultures.

Often sent for

  • Just because
  • Thank you
  • Birthday

By colour

  • Green Traditionally, protection and foresight.
  • Variegated Often chosen for bright, festive winter arrangements.

Keeping it fresh

Late fall through winter; berried stems are most plentiful in November and December.

  1. 1 Wear gloves; the leaves are sharp.
  2. 2 Recut the woody stems and split the base so they can drink.
  3. 3 Keep away from heat; in warm, dry rooms the berries shrivel and leaves drop.

Pet safety

  • cats Toxic
  • dogs Toxic
  • horses Toxic

ASPCA lists holly as toxic (saponins): vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. The ASPCA notes the leaves and berries are low in toxicity.

Source: ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants. If a pet eats any plant, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

Birth flower · December

December's flower, shared with narcissus (paperwhite).

Choose “Birthday” in the studio and pick December — the holly leads the bouquet.

Did you know

Holly plants are either male or female, and only females bear berries, so every berried stem comes from a female plant.

Pairs well with

Make your own holly bouquet

Pick a vase, add a card, and share the link — no delivery van, no wilting.

Open Flower Studio