Propagation
Sow fresh seed during autumn in pots and place in a cold frame to germinate. This may take between 2 and 3 years.

Take semi hardwood cuttings from summer to autumn and apply bottom heat.

Seed sowing for Ilex species
Collect and remove pulp from the seeds then wash. Seeds (nutlets) that float should be discarded and when sowing place in well drained media and maintain a temperature of 18º to 21º C. (64º to 75º F). Certain species germinate quickly while others take up to 18 months.

Botanic information
Leaf: The bright green leaves are obovate to lanceolate and are purple-tinged when young. The lighter green underside is softly pubescent, mainly along the vein nerves and the apex is abruptly acuminate. The petiole is short and the leaf turns yellow in autumn before falling. 

Flower: The cyathiform flowers have 3 to 8-small and waxy petals that are fused at the base. The male flowers have 4-prominent stamens with yellow anthers and the female is squat with an oval green pistil. They appear on different plants in an axillary cyme during late spring.

Fruit: The spherical drupe is normally green maturing to red or occasionally yellow to orange and persists on the plant throughout winter. The small seeds are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively as germination may take up to 3 years.