Quick answer: Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) is native to 17 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 03 Nov 2026.
Photo: sonnia hill, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-2.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium water, Moist |
| Soil | Moist sands, loams or clays - sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam, clay, caliche |
| Bloom | Bloom Mar-May |
| Height | Up to 30 ft tall |
| Wildlife value | Berries attract songbirds, fruit for mammals, nesting site, nectar for insects |
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 03 Nov 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 03 Nov 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Possumhaw
Where is Possumhaw native?
Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) is native to 17 states across the Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Possumhaw bloom?
Possumhaw blooms Mar-May. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Possumhaw need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade. Water: Medium water, Moist. Soil: Moist sands, loams or clays - sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam, clay, caliche. Mature height: Up to 30 ft tall.
Is Possumhaw good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Berries attract songbirds, fruit for mammals, nesting site, nectar for insects.
Where can I buy Possumhaw?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 03 Nov 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Ilex decidua by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Possumhaw.
- Crossvine Bignonia capreolata
- Water oak Quercus nigra
- Loblolly pine Pinus taeda
- Southern crabapple Malus angustifolia
- Maypop passionflower Passiflora incarnata
- Farkleberry Vaccinium arboreum
Also listed under
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