Yes, hollies are poisonous if the berries are eaten. Holly berries from Ilex species contain saponins and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, drowsiness, and dehydration in people and pets. The berries are the main concern, especially around children, dogs, cats, and holiday decorations.
Important: If a child or adult may have eaten holly berries, call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222. If a pet may have eaten holly berries, leaves, or holiday trimmings, contact your veterinarian.
For pets, you can also call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.
Hollies are popular evergreen and deciduous shrubs grown for glossy foliage, year-round structure, winter color, privacy screening, and wildlife value. Female holly plants often produce bright red, orange, yellow, black, or white berries, depending on the variety. Those berries are attractive in the landscape, but they should not be eaten by people or pets.
The good news is that holly poisoning is often mild when only a small number of berries are eaten, but it can still cause unpleasant symptoms. Larger amounts, small children, small pets, or animals with existing health concerns should be treated more seriously.
Holly berries add winter color to the landscape, but they should be kept away from children, pets, and livestock.
Yes. Holly berries are poisonous if eaten. They can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, drowsiness, and dehydration.
Are holly leaves poisonous?
Holly leaves may also contain irritating compounds, but the berries are the main poisoning concern. The spiny, leathery leaves are usually less tempting to people and pets.
Are hollies safe for birds?
Yes, holly berries are an important food source for many birds. Hollies can be good wildlife shrubs, even though the berries are unsafe for people, pets, and some livestock.
Which Parts Of Holly Are Poisonous?
The berries are the most poisonous and most commonly eaten part of holly plants. They are colorful, easy to pick, and can look tempting to children and pets. The toxic compounds in holly are generally listed as saponins, which can irritate the digestive system.
All hollies in the Ilex genus should be treated with caution, including American holly, English holly, blue holly, Japanese holly, inkberry holly, yaupon holly, and winterberry holly. The berry color and leaf shape may differ, but the berries should not be considered edible.
Plant Part
Risk Level
Main Concern
Berries
Highest concern
Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, drowsiness, and dehydration if eaten
Leaves
Lower concern, but not edible
Usually avoided because they are leathery or spiny, but pets may chew them
Stems and branches
Low concern, but not edible
Can be sharp or irritating, especially on spiny hollies
Holiday clippings
Depends on berries and access
Dropped berries can be eaten by children, dogs, cats, or other pets indoors
Gardener’s note: Most hollies are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are on separate plants. In many holly varieties, only female plants produce berries, and a compatible male plant nearby is needed for heavy berry production.
Are Hollies Poisonous To Children?
Yes, holly berries are poisonous to children if eaten. Children may be tempted by the bright berries, especially during the holidays when holly branches are used in wreaths, garlands, centerpieces, and winter arrangements.
Eating holly berries may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, drowsiness, or dehydration. A small taste may only cause mild symptoms, but it is still smart to call Poison Control for guidance, especially if you do not know how many berries were eaten.
How to reduce risk around children
Teach children that holly berries are not edible.
Avoid using berry-covered holly branches in homes with toddlers.
Sweep up dropped berries from indoor decorations.
Plant berry-producing hollies away from play areas.
Choose male holly plants or low-berry varieties in high-traffic family areas.
Are Hollies Poisonous To Dogs And Cats?
Yes, hollies are toxic to dogs and cats if enough plant material is eaten. The berries are usually the main concern because they are colorful and can fall from shrubs or holiday decorations. Some pets may also chew leaves or branches.
Signs of holly poisoning in dogs and cats may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, decreased activity, or dehydration. A pet that eats one or two berries may only have mild stomach upset, but larger amounts can cause more serious digestive symptoms.
Do not guess with pets. If your dog or cat ate holly berries, leaves, or holiday trimmings, call your veterinarian or pet poison control with the plant name, your pet’s weight, and the amount you think was eaten.
Safer holiday decorating tips for pet owners
Use holly branches without berries when possible.
Place arrangements out of reach of pets.
Check daily for berries that have dried, loosened, or fallen.
Do not leave holly clippings on the floor after decorating.
Use pet-safe greenery or artificial decorations if your pet chews plants.
Are Hollies Poisonous To Horses And Livestock?
Hollies are considered toxic to horses and may also cause problems for some livestock if enough leaves or berries are eaten. In most cases, animals avoid spiny holly foliage, but hungry animals, curious animals, or animals with limited forage may browse plants they would normally ignore.
Do not plant hollies where horses, goats, sheep, cattle, or other grazing animals can easily reach them. Also avoid dumping holly branches, berries, holiday wreaths, or pruning debris into pastures, paddocks, runs, or chicken areas.
How to reduce risk around grazing animals
Keep holly shrubs outside pasture fencing.
Do not toss holly clippings into areas with animals.
Clean up storm-damaged branches quickly.
Keep holiday greenery away from barns and stalls.
Call a veterinarian if livestock eat holly berries or a large amount of foliage.
Are Holly Berries Poisonous To Birds?
Holly berries are not a problem for many wild birds. In fact, hollies are excellent wildlife shrubs because birds eat the berries and use the dense branches for cover, nesting, and protection from predators.
Robins, cedar waxwings, mockingbirds, blue jays, cardinals, thrushes, blackbirds, wild turkeys, grouse, and other birds may feed on holly berries, especially in winter when other food sources are limited.
This is one reason hollies are so valuable in the landscape: they can be unsafe for people and pets to eat, while still supporting birds and wildlife when planted thoughtfully.
Symptoms Of Holly Poisoning
Holly poisoning usually causes digestive symptoms. Symptoms may vary depending on how many berries were eaten, the size of the person or animal, and how quickly treatment advice is received.
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, decreased activity
Call your veterinarian or pet poison control
Horses and livestock
Digestive upset, diarrhea, reduced appetite, possible depression or weakness
Call a veterinarian, especially after large exposure
What Should You Do If Holly Berries Were Eaten?
Remove access to the plant. Move the person or animal away from the shrub, wreath, arrangement, or fallen berries.
Do not try home remedies. Do not induce vomiting unless Poison Control, a medical professional, or a veterinarian tells you to do so.
Call for advice. For people, call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222. For pets or livestock, call your veterinarian.
Estimate the amount eaten. Count missing berries if possible and note when the exposure happened.
Save a sample. Take a photo of the plant or place a small piece in a sealed bag for identification.
Seek urgent help if the person or animal has repeated vomiting, severe diarrhea, extreme sleepiness, weakness, dehydration, trouble breathing, collapse, or any symptom that seems severe or unusual.
Holiday Decorating With Holly
Holly is commonly used in winter and holiday decorations, but indoor arrangements can increase exposure risk. Berries may dry, loosen, and drop onto the floor where children, dogs, cats, or other pets can find them.
If you want to decorate with real holly, use berry-free branches when possible or place arrangements well out of reach. Check under wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces regularly for fallen berries.
Safer holiday ideas
Use holly branches without berries.
Use artificial berries instead of real ones in arrangements.
Choose cranberries or other decorative materials for color, but still keep decorations away from pets.
Keep wreaths and garlands away from children’s rooms and pet areas.
Sweep or vacuum fallen berries daily if using real holly indoors.
Can You Grow Hollies Safely With Kids Or Pets?
Many families grow hollies safely, but placement matters. Hollies are best planted where children and pets are not likely to pick or eat the berries. If you have a dog that eats plants, a toddler who puts things in their mouth, or livestock near landscape beds, choose the planting site carefully.
Male holly plants are a good option when you want holly foliage without berries. Some varieties are naturally male, while others are female and need a male pollinator nearby to produce heavy berry crops.
Safer planting tips
Plant berry-producing hollies away from patios, play areas, and pet runs.
Choose male holly plants if you want to avoid berries.
Use barriers around berried hollies in family spaces.
Clean up fallen berries under shrubs if pets or children use the area.
Do not plant hollies along pasture fences or livestock areas.
Looking For Pet-Safe Plants?
If your dog or cat likes to nibble plants, shop pet-safe plants instead of taking chances with shrubs that produce tempting berries.
Yes. Holly berries are poisonous to humans if eaten. They can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, drowsiness, and dehydration.
Are holly berries poisonous to dogs?
Yes. Holly berries can make dogs sick. Symptoms may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and decreased activity. Call your veterinarian if your dog ate holly berries.
Are holly berries poisonous to cats?
Yes. Holly berries are toxic to cats if eaten and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, depression, or loss of appetite. Contact your veterinarian or pet poison control for advice.
Are holly leaves poisonous?
The berries are the main concern, but holly leaves should not be eaten. Pets may experience digestive upset if they chew leaves, and spiny leaves can also irritate the mouth.
Are winterberry hollies poisonous?
Yes. Winterberry is a deciduous holly in the Ilex genus. Its berries should be treated as poisonous to people, pets, and some livestock if eaten.
Are holly berries poisonous to birds?
No, holly berries are commonly eaten by many wild birds. Hollies are valuable wildlife shrubs because birds use the berries for food and the branches for shelter.
Do all holly plants have berries?
No. Many hollies have separate male and female plants. Female plants produce berries when a compatible male pollinator is nearby. Male holly plants do not produce berries.
Should I remove hollies from my yard?
Not always. Hollies can be excellent landscape and wildlife shrubs. If you have young children, plant-chewing pets, or livestock nearby, consider planting male hollies, using barriers, or choosing a safer plant for high-risk areas.
Bottom Line
Holly berries are poisonous to humans, dogs, cats, horses, and some livestock if eaten. The berries are the main concern because they are colorful, easy to pick, and common in holiday decorations. Symptoms usually involve digestive upset, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and drowsiness.
Hollies can still be excellent shrubs when planted thoughtfully. They offer evergreen structure, winter interest, privacy, and food for birds. The key is keeping berries and clippings away from children, pets, and grazing animals.
If a person or animal eats holly berries, do not guess. Call Poison Control, your veterinarian, or pet poison control for guidance.
Sources
National Capital Poison Center: “Holly Berries: A Beautiful Decoration but a Poisonous Snack”
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Holly Toxicity
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Holiday Plant Safety for Pets
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Ilex Toxicity Information
Chris Link is the co-owner of Plant Addicts and helps gardeners find the right plants for their yards, homes, and growing conditions. Plant Addicts has helped millions of gardeners shop for plants and learn how to care for them.
Originally published October 19, 2021. Last updated May 14, 2026.
