Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Soft Touch Compact Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Soft Touch’) is a low-maintenance evergreen shrub with soft, glossy leaves that provide year-round interest. Small black fruits appear in late fall and persist into winter, attracting birds to the garden.
Its compact form makes it perfect for borders, walkways, foundation plantings, or as an accent shrub. When planted tightly, it also works beautifully as a formal low-growing hedge.
Soft Touch Compact Holly Care
Plant in well-drained soil and water regularly until established. Provide supplemental water during periods of extreme heat or drought. Prefers slightly acidic soil. Fertilize in the spring before new growth begins. Responds well to pruning to maintain size and shape, making it highly versatile in landscape design.
Soft Touch Compact Holly Spacing
For shrub borders or mass plantings, space 4 to 5 feet apart, center to center. For formal hedges, space 2 ½ to 3 feet apart from the center of each plant to create a dense, structured appearance.
Why Grow Soft Touch Compact Holly?
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Compact evergreen shrub with soft, glossy foliage
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Small black fruits attract birds in late fall and winter
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Ideal for borders, walkways, foundation plantings, and accents
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Works well as a low-maintenance formal hedge
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Responds well to pruning for size and shape control
Soft Touch Compact Holly combines evergreen beauty, wildlife appeal, and versatility, making it an excellent choice for structured landscapes, hedges, or decorative borders.
Soft Touch Compact Japanese Holly Plant Facts
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
| Flower Color(s): n/a |
| Bloom Period: Grown for Foliage |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: 2-3 Feet |
| Spread: 2-3 Feet |
| Habit: Rounded |
| Watering: Medium |
| Features: Dense, Rounded Habit |
| Scientific Name: Ilex crenata 'Soft Touch' |
| Common Name: Soft Touch Compact Japanese Holly |
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2026. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 30th |
| Zone 9 | March 30th |
| Zone 8 | April 6th |
| Zone 7 | April 13th |
| Zone 6b | April 20st |
| Zone 6a | April 27th |
| Zone 5b | May 4th |
| Zone 5a | May 11th |
| Zone 4 | May 18th |
| Zone 3 | May 25th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!