woodland shrub
Possumhaw
Ilex decidua
1 of 3Native to the Southeast and the Midwest
Virginia to southern Illinois and southern Missouri, south to Florida Panhandle and central Texas
- Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 6–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
- Height up to 30 ft to 9.1 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland shrub for full sun to part shade and evenly moist soil. Its white flowers peak in April. At up to 30 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 6–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Possumhaw's white flowers bloom March to May, peaking in April. This spring display draws butterflies and birds.
Possumhaw blooms whiteFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Spicebush Swallowtail also Holly Azure
- Birds Carolina Chickadee
- Hummingbirds Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Spicebush swallowtailnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Southeast and the MidwestUnited States (18): AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Virginia to southern Illinois and southern Missouri, south to Florida Panhandle and central TexasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist sands, loams or clays. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche typeThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil pH
- 3.5–6.5The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- LowHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- LowHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 30 ft (to 9.1 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- RapidA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 12+ in (30+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jan–DecThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Bare root, container, seedHow to start new plants.
- Seed spread rate
- RapidHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- HighHow strongly young seedlings establish.
- Vegetative spread
- ModerateWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.