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Native Plant Society of Texas

Brushholly

Xylosma flexuosa

Other common name(s):

Brush Holly

Family:

Salicaceae (Willow Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

3
to
4
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Tolerates a wide variety of soils. Regular watering is needed, especially during establishment, and while it’s drought-tolerant, consistent moisture is preferred. Pruning can be done throughout the year, but significant pruning is best done in late winter or early spring. Can be grown as a hedge or a tree. Native habitat: chaparral and brush country. Propagation: cuttings.

Comments

Blooms January-December. Trunk has a distinctive zigzag shape. Can grow as a small tree or a tall, spiny shrub with small, glossy leaves and serrate margins. Produces very small flower clusters on leaf axils and are hard to see, The fruit is a round, red to black, berry.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting. This prevents them from rotting in the soil. To further encourage rooting, you can dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder (optional but helpful). repare a pot with well-draining potting mix. You can mix equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite for best results. Make a small hole in the mix with a pencil and gently insert the cutting. Firm the soil around it. Water thoroughly and place the pot in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight. Maintain consistent moisture by misting regularly or covering the pot with a clear plastic bag to create a humid environment. It can take several weeks for roots to develop. You can gently tug on the cutting to check. If you feel resistance, roots are forming! Once well-rooted, transplant the new Xylosma seedlings into individual pots or your desired garden location. The best time to take cuttings is during the active growing season, typically in late spring or early summer. This is when the plant is bursting with energy and hormones that promote root development. Look for healthy, non-flowering shoots that are firm and not woody. Using clean, sharp pruning shears, take cuttings about 4-6 inches long. Make a clean cut just below a node (the point where a leaf attaches to the stem). https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-xylosma-flexuosa/
Seed No Treatment Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours before planting to soften the seed coat and improve germination rates. Plant the seeds in a seed-starting mix, covering them lightly with soil. Water gently and keep the soil consistently moist. Germination can take several weeks or even months, so don’t despair if you don’t see sprouts right away. Once the seedlings emerge and have a few sets of true leaves, you can transplant them into larger containers or your garden bed. Well-draining soil is crucial for Xylosma, whether propagating from cuttings or seeds. Bright, indirect light is ideal for young plants to prevent scorching. Collect ripe berries from an existing Xylosma plant. Allow them to dry thoroughly. Alternatively, purchase Xylosma seeds from reputable online or local nurseries. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-xylosma-flexuosa/

Brushholly

Xylosma flexuosa

Other names:

Brush Holly

Family:

Salicaceae (Willow Family)

Characteristics
Growth Form:
Shrub
Height:
3
to
6
ft.
Spread:
3
to
4
ft.
Leaf Retention:
Evergreen
Lifespan:
Perennial
Soil:
Sand, Loam, Clay
Light:
Part Shade
Water:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Grassland
Photo Credit: Cliffe, Harry, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=25629
Photo Credit: Wasowski, Sally and Andy, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=25055
Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Color:
White
Season:
Spring, Summer, Fall
Seasonal Interest:
Fruit, Nectar
Wildlife Benefit:
Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects
Tolerates a wide variety of soils. Regular watering is needed, especially during establishment, and while it’s drought-tolerant, consistent moisture is preferred. Pruning can be done throughout the year, but significant pruning is best done in late winter or early spring. Can be grown as a hedge or a tree. Native habitat: chaparral and brush country. Propagation: cuttings.
Blooms January-December. Trunk has a distinctive zigzag shape. Can grow as a small tree or a tall, spiny shrub with small, glossy leaves and serrate margins. Produces very small flower clusters on leaf axils and are hard to see, The fruit is a round, red to black, berry.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting. This prevents them from rotting in the soil. To further encourage rooting, you can dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder (optional but helpful). repare a pot with well-draining potting mix. You can mix equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite for best results. Make a small hole in the mix with a pencil and gently insert the cutting. Firm the soil around it. Water thoroughly and place the pot in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight. Maintain consistent moisture by misting regularly or covering the pot with a clear plastic bag to create a humid environment. It can take several weeks for roots to develop. You can gently tug on the cutting to check. If you feel resistance, roots are forming! Once well-rooted, transplant the new Xylosma seedlings into individual pots or your desired garden location. The best time to take cuttings is during the active growing season, typically in late spring or early summer. This is when the plant is bursting with energy and hormones that promote root development. Look for healthy, non-flowering shoots that are firm and not woody. Using clean, sharp pruning shears, take cuttings about 4-6 inches long. Make a clean cut just below a node (the point where a leaf attaches to the stem). https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-xylosma-flexuosa/
Seed No Treatment Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours before planting to soften the seed coat and improve germination rates. Plant the seeds in a seed-starting mix, covering them lightly with soil. Water gently and keep the soil consistently moist. Germination can take several weeks or even months, so don’t despair if you don’t see sprouts right away. Once the seedlings emerge and have a few sets of true leaves, you can transplant them into larger containers or your garden bed. Well-draining soil is crucial for Xylosma, whether propagating from cuttings or seeds. Bright, indirect light is ideal for young plants to prevent scorching. Collect ripe berries from an existing Xylosma plant. Allow them to dry thoroughly. Alternatively, purchase Xylosma seeds from reputable online or local nurseries. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-xylosma-flexuosa/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason