How to Grow Itea Ilicifolia - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Itea ilicifolia is an evergreen shrub that is native to China. This plant can grow to be about 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide. It has dark green leaves that are about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. The flowers of this plant are white and they bloom in the spring.

How to Grow Itea Ilicifolia - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

  • Mountain Holly
  • Holly-leaved Gladecress
  • American Holly
  • Christmas Berry
  • Inkberry

Common Knowledge

  • Itea ilicifolia is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America.
  • It is commonly known as bearberry willow, because the leaves resemble those of the bearberry plant.
  • It grows in moist, shady areas, and can reach a height of up to 6 feet.
  • The leaves are oval-shaped, and the flowers are small and white, blooming in June or July.
  • The fruit is a small, black berry that is edible, but not very tasty.
  • I. ilicifolia is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
  • It is easy to grow and care for, and is relatively drought-tolerant.
  • It can be propagated by seed, division, or cuttings.
  • I. ilicifolia is susceptible to a number of diseases, including powdery mildew and leaf spot.
  • It is also attractive to a number of pests, including aphids, scale, and whiteflies.

Growing Steps

  1. For itea ilicifolia, first step is to start with a young plant or cutting.
  2. Water the plant regularly and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
  3. Place the plant in a location where it will receive full sun to partial shade.
  4. Fertilize the plant every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
  5. Prune the plant as needed to maintain its shape and size.
  6. Monitor the plant for pests and diseases and take appropriate action if any are found.
  7. Allow the plant to flower and set fruit as desired.
  8. Harvest the fruit when it is ripe and eat it fresh or use it in recipes as desired.
  9. Store any excess fruit for later use.
  10. Enjoy your itea ilicifolia plant!

Related plant:
Itea Virginica Henry's Garnet

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, Ilicifolia can grow in many types of soil but prefer well-drained, sandy loam soils. It is tolerant to drought and seasonally dry conditions but grows best with consistent moisture. It can tolerate some salt in the soil but not long-term flooding.

Light condition

So, like the other types of holly, the tea holly (Ilex ilicifolia) requires full sun to partial shade to maintain its glossy green leaves and produce its small, red berries. This evergreen shrub is tolerant of a wide range of soils, including both sandy and clay varieties, as long as the soil is well-drained. The tea holly is also tolerant of salt and wind, making it a good choice for coastal gardens.

The Temperature

The temperature condition for growing huckleberries is cool to cold. They need a period of chilling in order to flower and produce fruit. The plant is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, but prefer well-drained, sandy soils. Huckleberries can be found in the wild in many parts of North America.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 60-65%. If the humidity drops below 60%, the leaves will start to curl and if it drops below 50%, the leaves will turn brown and crisp. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to drop.

The Fertilizer

Discussing fertilizer, this kind of plant need high potassium and nitrogen level in order to maintain a lush growth. On the other hand, the root system of itea ilicifolia is very dense, so that it can hold the plant firmly in the ground and also help to uptake water and nutrients from the soil.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of maintaining a healthy itea ilicifolia plant. Pruning helps to encourage new growth and keeps the plant looking its best. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or diseased leaves and branches. It is also important to prune back any branches that are growing out of control.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of Ilex ilicifolia is typically done through rooting of stem cuttings taken from the current season's growth. The cuttings should be taken from the lower portion of the plant and should be around 4-6 inches in length. The cuttings should be taken from healthy plants that are not suffering from any diseases. The cuttings should be placed in a rooting medium that is well-drained and has a high organic content. Once the cuttings have been placed in the rooting medium, they should be kept moist and in a location that has high humidity and indirect sunlight. It can take several weeks for the cuttings to root and form new plants.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate studies have been conducted on young plants in controlled environments. However, a recent study on mature plants in the wild found that they can grow up to 3.8 cm per day. This growth rate is much faster than what has been found in previous studies. The authors suggest that the high growth rate is due to the plant's ability to quickly adapt to its environment.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are the fungal diseases Anthracnose and Sooty Mold. The fungal disease Anthracnose can cause the leaves to turn black and the Sooty Mold can cause a black coating on the leaves.

Tips on Growing

  • Remember to plant itea ilicifolia in an area that gets full sun.
  • Well-drained soil is a must for this plant.
  • Fertilize itea ilicifolia regularly with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Pruning is necessary to keep this plant looking its best.
  • Deadhead itea ilicifolia flowers to promote more blooming.
  • Water itea ilicifolia regularly, but make sure the soil is not soggy.
  • Powdery mildew can be a problem for this plant.
  • Aphids can also be a problem, so watch for them and treat accordingly.
  • Itea ilicifolia is generally disease and pest-free.
  • This plant can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or division.

Alternative Plants

  • ITEA ILICIFOLIA (L.) Aitches. & Hemsl.
  • Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (L.) Salix ilicifolia (

Source:
Itea ilicifolia - calphotos.berkeley.edu
ITEACEAE Itea ilicifolia - Insidewood Images - North Carolina …
Itea: Summer Flowers and Autumn Color - Harvard University

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Shrubs Category