Dwarf Yaupon Holly Care and Planting.  The scientific name is “Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’. This drought-tolerant evergreen plant is for those looking for low-water and low-maintenance plants.  It does produce a small non-showy white flower in mid-spring,  A great plant for the American Southwest region.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly Care

A low-mounding evergreen plant that grows about 3ft. tall and maybe 5ft. wide: the stems are stiff and produce small leaves about the size of a small pinky fingernail.  Glossy dark green foliage that will tolerate almost any type of soil.  But, it will do best with good composted soil.

How much water Does it Need?

Once established (after the third year) it needs about 15 minutes of water every other day during the hot summer months.  Make sure your drip system is working correctly.  The Yaupon Holly can also take a lot of water twice monthly during the winter months.  It loves the full sun but can tolerate some shade.

Furthermore, the male does not produce red berries, but if you are lucky enough to find a female place it near the male plant for cross-pollination.  The Berries are not as prominent in the dwarf as they are on the regular-sized Yaupon Holly tree.

Where to Place This Plant

First, it loves full sun but can tolerate some shade for at least six hours anything less and it will not look good. Displaying them in a rock landscape is an excellent idea as they do not mind the reflected heat from rocks.  Place several in a row for a handsome pathway landscape look.

USDA Hardiness zone is 7 – 9.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly are great plant to build Bonsai.  They have interesting foliage and a pale white bark and trunk that twists and turns.  The Bonsai below is one I made about eight months ago (4-15-23).  Read more about the Dwarf Yaupon Holly Bonsai.

Another Bonsai is made from a Dwarf Yaupon Holly.

There is also Monrovia’s Stokes Dwarf Yaupon holly plant.

Problems with the Dwarf Yaupon Holly

In fact, Yaupon Hollys are not susceptible to diseases and insects, but sometimes it does happen, usually when too much water is applied to the plant.  Overhead watering from the lawn sprinkler is one problem and excessive rainfall is another one.  At the first signs of Rot root and/or Powdery mildew act quickly.  Spraying with a good fungicide will normally work if treated quickly for more information on Common Insects and diseases on plants.