Holly vs Impatiens

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Holly

Ilex opaca

Aquifoliaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Impatiens

Impatiens walleriana

Balsaminaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Holly (Zones 5-9)

Impatiens (Zones 10-11)

No zone overlap — these plants cannot be grown in the same climate

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Holly	Impatiens
Scientific Name	Ilex opaca	Impatiens walleriana
Family	Aquifoliaceae	Balsaminaceae
Category	shrubs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Acidic, Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	40'	1' 6"
Spread	20'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Mixed
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	East Africa
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Holly

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Impatiens

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Holly

✓Need both male and female plants for berries.
✓One male can pollinate 6-8 females.
✓Prune in winter for holiday decorations.
✓Tolerates heavy shading.

Impatiens

✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓No deadheading needed — self-cleaning.
✓Pinch for bushier growth.
✓Watch for downy mildew — choose resistant varieties.
✓Feed monthly.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Holly if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Choose Impatiens if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 10–11.

View HollyProfile →View ImpatiensProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Holly and Impatiens grow in the same hardiness zone?

Holly grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Impatiens grows in zones 10-11. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Holly and Impatiens have the same sun and water needs?

Holly needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Impatiens needs part shade to full shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Holly or Impatiens?

Holly grows taller at 40' compared to Impatiens at 1' 6". Holly spreads 20' while Impatiens spreads 1' 6".

Are Holly and Impatiens deer resistant?

Holly is deer resistant, but Impatiens is not. If deer are a concern, Holly is the better choice, or protect Impatiens with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Holly or Impatiens?

Both Holly and Impatiens have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Holly	Impatiens
Scientific Name	Ilex opaca	Impatiens walleriana
Family	Aquifoliaceae	Balsaminaceae
Category	shrubs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Acidic, Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	40'	1' 6"
Spread	20'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	White	Mixed
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	East Africa
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Holly

✓Need both male and female plants for berries.
✓One male can pollinate 6-8 females.
✓Prune in winter for holiday decorations.
✓Tolerates heavy shading.

Impatiens

✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓No deadheading needed — self-cleaning.
✓Pinch for bushier growth.
✓Watch for downy mildew — choose resistant varieties.
✓Feed monthly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Holly and Impatiens grow in the same hardiness zone?

Holly grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Impatiens grows in zones 10-11. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Holly and Impatiens have the same sun and water needs?

Holly needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Impatiens needs part shade to full shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Holly or Impatiens?

Holly grows taller at 40' compared to Impatiens at 1' 6". Holly spreads 20' while Impatiens spreads 1' 6".

Are Holly and Impatiens deer resistant?

Holly is deer resistant, but Impatiens is not. If deer are a concern, Holly is the better choice, or protect Impatiens with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Holly or Impatiens?

Both Holly and Impatiens have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.