Failing Japanese Holly - Ask Extension
One area of my Japanese Holly bush is “dying” with leaves turning brown there. I thought it might have been from the frigid winter we had but it ...
Knowledgebase
Failing Japanese Holly #928718
Asked April 17, 2026, 1:45 PM EDT
One area of my Japanese Holly bush is “dying” with leaves turning brown there. I thought it might have been from the frigid winter we had but it continues to worsen with more leaves browning in that area. I do see evidence of small webs but no insects ID’d. Appreciate your input!
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
The branch dieback looks similar to that caused by Thielaviopsis, a common type of root rot for certain shrubs (including Japanese Holly) that they can contract if they're growing in soil that isn't acidic enough (hollies like acid soil), soil that stays too wet or is too compacted, etc. More information can be found on the linked publication from the University of Kentucky. There is no curative treatment, and branches that died back (regardless of the cause) would need to be pruned off. Usually, hollies afflicted with Thielaviopsis continue to decline and don't recover, in which case you may want to replace the plant(s), although you can try pruning first in case an infection has stalled in progression and the decline stops.
Miri
Miri
