Toyon Christmas Berry

Toyon Christmas Berry Heteromeles arbutifolia

The Toyon Christmas Berry plant is a beautiful perennial shrub. It is a prominent component of the coastal sage scrub plant community, and is a part of drought-adapted chaparral and mixed oak woodland habitats. It is also known by the common names Christmas berry and California Holly from the bright red berries it produces.
It is a California native evergreen shrub that typically grows into a dense plant to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide but older plants can be taller and wider and even trained into small trees. It has gray bark, either smooth or fissured with age that hold leathery 2-4 inch long oblong leaves that are serrated along the margins and many small white mildly fragrant flowers in terminal clusters in late spring to early summer that produce bright red pea sized berries in the winter. It is drought tolerant after the first few years, but tolerates some water if drainage is good.

Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers and birds somewhat to the fruit. The berries are edible to humans but acidic and not that pleasant - they also contain cyanide compounds that are harmful if too many are eaten raw.

Growing Toyon Christmas Berry

• Plant Toyon Christmas Berry in a location with full sun to partial shade, ensuring it receives at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily.
• Water the plant regularly during the establishment period, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions once established.
• Use well-draining soil, such as sandy or loamy soil, to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
• Toyon Christmas Berry is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in USDA zones 8-10.
• Prune the plant in late winter or early spring to maintain its shape, remove dead or damaged branches, and promote healthy growth.

Shipping Info

Your plant will be shipped with the roots wrapped in plastic and ready to plant upon arrival. The plant will be between 8” to 10”in height. Planting guidelines will also be included.