Soft Touch Holly Shrub

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Size
Regular price $68.00
SHIPPING

Ordering for Christmas? Please message us before placing your order to confirm availability and delivery timing.

10% off, $99
15% off, $249
20% off, $449

*Discount Auto-Applies at Checkout

$1500+, BUNDLE20 for 20% off
$3000+, BUNDLE30 for 30% off
$7000+, Contact our sales team

For questions on bulk order discounts
Please contact us at sales@simplytrees.com

1 gallon, 6"
3 gallon, 8 to 10"
5 gallon, 10 to 12"
7 gallon, 14"
10 gallon, 15 to 17"
15 gallon, 17"
"Jumbo", 10 or 15 gallon

Please Note: Sizing can differ between plant varieties. Please chat with us if you need clarification.

For more information on sizing, please see our guide.

Soft Touch Holly is a compact evergreen shrub known for its soft, spineless foliage and naturally rounded growth habit. It provides year-round greenery without the sharp leaves typically associated with hollies, making it ideal for walkways, borders, and foundation plantings. Its tidy size and low-maintenance nature make it a favorite for both small and large landscapes.

  • Botanical name: Ilex crenata ‘Soft Touch’
  • Bloom time: Spring (inconspicuous flowers)
  • Evergreen
  • Grown in the USA

SUNLIGHT:
Performs best in full sun to partial shade.

WATER:
Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, water every 7–10 days or as needed during dry periods.

LEVEL OF CARE: EASY
Soft Touch Holly is low-maintenance and naturally maintains its compact shape with minimal pruning.

Note: Soft Touch Holly grows slowly and stays compact, so it may take time to reach its mature size. Its small flowers are subtle and not showy, but they are followed by dense evergreen foliage that provides year-round structure and interest in the landscape.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

Soft Touch Holly is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its fine-textured foliage and naturally rounded shape. Unlike traditional hollies, it has soft, spineless leaves, making it an excellent low-maintenance option for borders, foundations, and small garden spaces. Its tidy growth habit and year-round greenery make it a versatile choice for both formal and casual landscapes.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Slow to moderate growth rate. Reaches 2–3 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide at maturity.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Water once a week during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, water every 7–10 days, increasing frequency during extreme heat or drought. Soft Touch Holly grows best in full sun to partial shade. It maintains the densest growth when planted in locations with morning sun and some afternoon protection.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

PRUNING:
Minimal pruning is required due to its naturally compact shape. Light trimming in late winter or early spring can be done to maintain size and form.

FERTILIZING:
Feed with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants in early spring. Maintaining slightly acidic soil helps support healthy foliage color.

WINTER PROTECTION:
Soft Touch Holly is cold-hardy, but applying mulch around the base helps protect roots during harsh winters. In windy areas, protection from drying winter winds is beneficial.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Plant Soft Touch Holly in well-drained, slightly acidic soil in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and set the plant level with the surrounding soil. Backfill firmly, water thoroughly, and apply mulch to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Continue watering regularly during the first growing season to ensure healthy establishment.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 5-9

Soft Touch Holly performs well across a wide range of climates, from cooler northern regions to warmer southern landscapes. It is cold-hardy and holds its evergreen foliage reliably through winter. In hotter zones, partial afternoon shade helps protect foliage from stress. Its adaptability and compact size make it especially popular for low hedges and foundation plantings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Soft Touch Holly typically reaches 2–3 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide, forming a naturally rounded, compact shrub.

Soft Touch Holly has a slow to moderate growth rate, gradually filling in over several seasons.

Yes, Soft Touch Holly is evergreen, providing consistent greenery throughout all seasons.

Soft Touch Holly may produce small black berries if both male and female plants are present, though berry production is uncommon and not a primary ornamental feature.

Soft Touch Holly grows best in full sun to partial shade, with protection from intense afternoon sun in hotter climates.

Water weekly during the first growing season. Once established, water every 7–10 days, increasing frequency during prolonged heat or drought.

Yes, Soft Touch Holly is excellent for low hedges, borders, and foundation plantings due to its compact size and dense growth.

Soft Touch Holly is moderately deer resistant, though no plant is completely deer-proof if food sources are limited.

Soft Touch Holly prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil enriched with organic matter.

No, Soft Touch Holly naturally maintains a compact, rounded shape and requires very little pruning. Occasional light trimming in late winter or early spring is enough to keep it tidy if desired.

More Details

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

See how we pack your plants!

Learn more about our Shipping Policy

At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

What's inside?

Your order from Simply Trees is more than just a box of plants—it’s a carefully curated experience. Here’s what’s inside:

  • We hand-select our plants for premium-quality from top growers nationwide
  • Each plant is then cleaned, prepped, and pruned to remove any blemishes and encourage new growth
  • Expertly treated and inspected for preventative measure
  • The pot is wrapped in a durable plastic bag and secured with a zip tie; house plants get extra protection with a recyclable nursery bag
  • Your plant is strapped into our durable double-pane boxes, secured in place with a heavy-duty zip tie to ensure safe transit
  • A thank you card with a QR code leads to our guide on welcoming your new plants home

We take pride in making sure every detail is just right, so you can enjoy your new greenery from the moment it arrives.

SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING, QUALITY CARE

We've perfected the art of packaging and shipping plants and trees! Unlike most online retailers, we handle everything in-house—no third-party fulfillment. Our experienced team carefully packages your plants to ensure they arrive from our farm to your door in perfect condition.