Inkberry Holly plant profile
Ilex glabra
A perennial shrub for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Inkberry Holly
Plant this broadleaf evergreen in spring or early fall, when the soil is warm enough for root growth but the plant is not under summer heat stress. Extension guidance favors these two windows over mid-winter for broadleaf evergreens, with early fall allowing roots to establish before the ground freezes.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Inkberry Holly in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 5 to 6
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 60 to 96 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 4a to 11bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: chlorosis in alkaline soil, legginess with age, needs male pollinator for berries.
Next steps
Continue with Inkberry Holly
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Ilex glabra (Inkberry, Inkberry Holly)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Planting Shrubs Correctly (HGIC 1052)
Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Supports planting reference. Checked 2026-06-18.