Where Does Holly Grow Best? Tips, Tricks & The Best Soils For Holly Bushes Reviewed
While they virtually require nothing, a little attention to the right soil and food will work wonders in the long run. So, where does holly grow best? The bush requires slightly acidic soil, lots of sunshine and good draining. Bushes can also grow in less tolerant environments, but you want them to thrive.
Holly bushes grow widely all around the world – they can grow in the wilderness, but you can also get some of these bushes to decorate your yard. Not only do they look good, but their fruits bring in a bit of color to your garden.
Our Picks
Kind Soil Hot Soil Product Single Bag
- ITS TIME TO STOP TRYING AND START GROWING! From the day you plant your clones/seeds until the day you harvest you will never need to add a single nutrient! (you must stay within our recommended veg times for the weight of kind soil used)
- Our System is completely organic & provides every single nutrient need your medical/vegetable plant will ever require. You will need a properly designed grow environment and proper PH range/de-chlorinated water. We recommend using a water with a PH that is naturally 6.3-7.0 that is the best choice.
- If your water source has a PH outside of that range, you can adjust your water PH. YOU MUST USE earth juice: citric acid (down) or potassium bicarbonate (up) to adjust your water PH. If you need to adjust your water source PH just get it into the 6.5-7.0 range there is no need to go lower than 6.5.
- Grow better tasting, smelling and more flavorful flowers with simplicity!
- Kind soil will bring out flavor, smells and quality you never knew your plants had! visit http://www.kindsoil.com/soil-information---grow-photos.html for more information and our Q&A section.
This soil is suitable for most types of plants out there. It is slightly acidic, 100% organic and will provide a good bedding for flowers, bushes, vegetables and so on. It is rich in nutrients, so plants do not require any extra food – yet supplementation has been proven to help in the long run.
For maximum efficiency, the manufacturer recommends using purified water – usually with a PH between 6.3 and 7.0. Unless you are a professional gardener, it does not mean that you have to invest in purification systems or all kinds of appliances to get the PH lower.
Other than that, the soil comes in a five pound bag. You can use it for outdoor holly bushes, but you can also use it for indoor plants.
Pros
- Suitable for more types of plants
- Rich in nutrients, so extra food is not really needed
- No need to mix it with other types of soils
- Fully organic
Cons
- Not available in other sizes
Dr. Earth 802 Acid Lovers Planting Mix
- Use as a soil amendment throughout the garden when planting trees, shrubs, bare root plants, flowers and all acid loving plants
- Rich in nutritious cottonseed meal and a plethora of other organic nutrients
- Ideal for hydrangeas, evergreens, blueberries, hollies, gardenias, ferns, tropical and shade plants, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, maples, and every acid loving plant in your garden
- Acid lovers planting mix
- Hand crafted customized designer blend
Dr. Earth is known for creating some of the best organic potting soil, but its slightly acidic products are excellent for outdoor uses as well – simply throw it where you want the holly bush to go and watch your new bush thrive. It also works for flowers, trees, shrubs and pretty much any acid loving plant.
The soil is boosted with cottonseed meal and a bunch of other organic elements. It is nutritious and does not really involve feeding your bushes. Supplementation is not needed either, yet it can help. After all, holly bushes are not too pretentious and can grow in harder conditions too.
The soil is made with aloe vera. It is 100% natural, so there are no chemicals in its composition. Apart from holly bushes, it is suitable for maples, camellias, shade plants, ferns, blueberries, evergreens, tropical plants and the list can go on.
Pros
- Excellent for pretty much any acid loving plant
- 100% natural ingredients
- Great for both indoor and outdoor plants
- Works for potted and wild growing plants
Cons
- No manufacturing dates, so you cannot be 100% sure of the PH
Burpee Natural Organic Premium Growing Mix
- Burpee Organic Premium growing mix is enriched with Burpee plant food for vibrant flowers and delicious vegetables and herbs
- Perfect for container and raised bed gardening, this growing mix feeds plants instantly and provides a slow release plant food that feeds for up to 3 months
- Formulated with coconut coir, a sustainable and renewable resource, that helps maintain moisture between watering's for vibrant flowers and delicious vegetables and herbs
- Omri listed for Organic use
- Enriched with Burpee plant food
So, where does holly grow best? You only need a bit of acidity and your bushes will thrive. This product comes in more sizes, with the eight quart package being the best selling one. You can also buy multi packs if you have a large garden.
Apart from holly bushes, the mix is excellent for all kinds of flower beds and plants. As long as they like a bit of acidity, there is nothing to worry about. Then, it is rich in nutrients, so your plants can get enough food for up to three months.
The soil is made with coconut coir. Its main role is to maintain moisture when you water the bush, meaning your bushes will be greener and richer. In terms of nutrition, it is boosted with Burpee plant food. It is 100% organic too.
Pros
- Excellent for various types of plants and bushes
- Maintains moisture between waterings
- 100% organic components
- Enriched with plant food
Cons
- Not available in smaller sizes for pots
Mother Earth HGC714837 Coco Plus Perlite Mix
- Mother Earth Coco + Perlite is a great alternative to potting soil as it enables gardeners to aggressively feed and not worry about over-watering
- Use Mother Earth Coco + Perlite with indoor and outdoor container gardens
- Achieve better aeration and drainage with a mix that incorporates 70% of the finest coconut coir and 30% perlite
- Plant directly in Mother Earth Coco + Perlite
- Coconut coir resists compaction and last longer in a container (vs traditional growing media)
Mother Earth might have designed the best soil for plants if you are after a natural mix suitable for more types of plants and rich in nutrients. Basically, you no longer need to worry about keeping your plants fed, yet a bit of supplementation every now and then is still handy.
The soil mix is suitable for indoor plants, outdoor gardens and bushes. It is slightly acidic, so holly bushes will love it. It is well aerated and ensures a good drainage. After all, it is made of 30% perlite and 70% coconut coir, so you do not have to worry about it.
Coconut coir is a preferred choice because of the way it works. It can resist compaction better than other types of soil. Plus, it lasts longer when used in a container or a pot. Pointless to mention it, the soil is based on 100% organic ingredients only.
Pros
- 100% organic ingredients for safety
- Excellent against compaction
- Good drainage capabilities due to bring well aerated
- Good value for money
Cons
- Not suitable for weak roots or young fragile plants
Miracle-Gro 72776430 Indoor Potting Mix
- Blended for a wide variety of container plants
- Feeds up to 6 months
- Designed to be less prone to gnats (Contains no compost or bark, which are known to shelter fungus gnats)
- Contains coconut coir, which holds and releases water and helps soil easily re wet
- For use in containers
Miracle-Gro has created the best organic soil for indoor plants, but wait for it. Its composition and ingredients recommend it for outdoor uses as well. Since it is slightly acidic, it is excellent for a wide variety of bushes and outdoor plants – holly bushes included too.
Now, where does holly grow best? Make sure you choose a decent place that gets lots of sunlight and come up with a soft bedding before bringing the bush in. The soil is rich in a wide variety of nutrients. In other words, the soil will feed your bushes for up to half a year, especially since holly bushes are not pretentious and do not need too much. You can forget about plant food and supplementation.
Other than that, there is no bark or compost in the composition of the soil. In other words, it is less prone to gnats. Instead, it is rich in coconut coir, which can retain moisture and release it gradually – great to keep plants hydrated between waterings. It comes in multiple sizes, with the six quart bag being the best selling one.
Pros
- Can feed your plants for up to six months
- Less likely to shelter fungus gnats
- 100% natural ingredients in its composition
- Designed for indoor containers, but excellent for certain outdoor plants too
Cons
- No manufacturing date, so you will have to thoroughly check the soil for mold (yellow patches) before using it
What To Look For In Soil For Holly
The best part about holly is that such bushes can grow anywhere. Sure, there are some ideal conditions for them. They need plenty of moisture in the soil, as well as a slight acidity. They also require direct sunlight. But on the same note, they are so resistant that they can grow anywhere. They can grow in swampy places with insignificant sunlight too. They will not grow too tall and their greens will not have that deep vibrant green, but they will succeed.
Now, where does holly grow best? What is the ideal type of soil for these bushes? What do you need to look for?
Slight acidity
Slight acidity is not a must, but it does help. Holly bushes thrive in slightly acidic soils. For this reason, it helps getting a product with a PH around 5.0. A slightly higher PH level will not harm the plant though – you might as well go up to 5.5. Neutral PH soils are also handy and differences in the growth levels will be insignificant.
Aerated profile
For holly bushes to thrive, moisture is a must. In fact, most plants require a well aerated soil. In other words, the soil you purchase should be resistant to compaction. Drainage is essential. Fortunately, many plants come with such requirements, so you should not face too many issues. Ensure your plant gets plenty of water as well.
Type of soil
Again, given the holly capacity to grow anywhere, the type of soil is not essential, but it will certainly help. The bush is more likely to thrive in a loamy soil. While not that popular or general, clay or chalky soil is also helpful. However, it is too specialized – ideally, you should get a general soil that allows other plants to grow in as well.
Nutrients and ingredients
Holly bushes can easily grow without getting plant food. But then, soil rich in nutrients will provide better and faster results. If your plants get the required nutrients, they will grow faster and richer. You can tell the difference in the long run. Plus, nutrient rich soils prevent the need of buying supplements yourself later on.
As for ingredients, opt for 100% natural soils. There are lots of organic products in commerce with 100% natural ingredients. Chemicals are not necessarily healthy, especially when it comes to young plants.
Value for money
Now that you know what type of soil to get, it is time to consider the price and value for money. Soil is not cheap, but not too expensive either. It does not mean that you should go with the cheapest option you can find on the market. Instead, opt for a middle choice.
Stick to a reputable manufacturer with good reviews. You want a reliable brand with a history in creating quality soil. Furthermore, as a general rule of thumb, the larger the bag is, the more money you will save.
FAQs
Whether or not you have experience planting and growing holly bushes, you will inevitably end up with some questions in the process. If this is the first time you grow holly bushes, there is nothing to worry about – they can overlook your small mistakes anyway.
Can holly bushes be transplanted?
Yes. Most plants can be transplanted. There are a few rules to ensure a healthier transplant and reduce potential risks. The best time to transplant a holly bush is in the early weeks of spring. If the plant is too stressed, it may lose its leaves. If you do it in the springtime, there is not much to lose anyway. When absolutely necessary, you can also do it in the early fall season, but ideally, you should just wait for the springtime.
Can I split a holly bush?
If you are interested in the soil to split a holly bush and expand your “collection”, the good news is you can do it. However, you need to pay some attention. Make sure you cut somewhere at the bottom, just under a bud union. You will end up with a large piece – cut another piece out of it, about 0.75 inches above a bud union. You will end up with a decent twig between five and ten inches to plant.
Are holly bushes invasive?
Holly bushes are not particularly invasive. When getting soil for a new bush, you do not have to worry too much. However, any plant, bush or tree planted too close to the house can be damaging in the long run. If there is a crack in your foundation, the root will most likely exploit it. Simply stick to about five feet if you have a small variety and up to 25 feet if you have a large variety that looks like a tree.
Conclusion
So, where does holly grow best? The bush is not pretentious at all and will grow anywhere, but the above mentioned tips and ideas will help you ensure a healthy and nutritious environment for your new plant.
There are some rules you have to follow, whether you are worried about the location, soil type and watering requirements. However, they are insignificant. Bottom line, holly bushes are excellent plants for beginners because they are forgiving and can ignore your mistakes.
Make sure you invest in quality soil – this is probably the most important requirement. Light will naturally hit the plant at times, while nutrients should be available in the soil.