Holly Tree Seeds

• Holly trees are easily recognizable plants of the genus Ilex. Hollies are known for their toothed, glossy green leaves, and their white and red berries. They can grow to the size of trees or be kept in bush form. American holly is native to the United States, but there is a similar-looking holly with smaller leaves, the European holly, that has been introduced as an ornamental. Holly growth is best in moist, well-drained soil with slight acidity. Holly berries contain seeds and can be toxic, especially in pets and children.

Fruit

• The holly tree produces a fruit or berry that can be white or red and ripen from September through December. Insects pollinate the trees even when a female tree is far from any male trees. Females produce the fruit, which are actually four-sided drupes, or clusters of small fruits. The four seeds in the fruit are hard with ridged surfaces. Birds love the fruit and help spread the seeds in their droppings.

Holly Seeds

• Each holly seed is coated by a thick pulp to protect it from winter damage. The seeds contain a rudimentary or immature embryo and require more time after formation to mature. Maturity takes years. The heavy coating and maturity time mean that germination in nature takes 16 months to three years. Seeds of holly trees require a period of stratification, or exposure to cold, before they are ready to germinate.

Planting Holly Seed

• Holly seeds have a slow germination rate of 33 to 56 percent even in optimum conditions. The pulp is difficult to remove from the seed but is stratified in sand in cool conditions for a year. The seeds are sown the second spring. After stratification the seed coating is drier and is broken off. The seeds are soaked in water for a week. Holly seeds are planted in flats outdoors or directly into the soil. You should take care where you sow the seeds, as Holly trees do not like to be moved.