Malpighia coccigera: Dwarf Holly – Miniature Holly for Bonsai and Containers

Malpighia coccigera – Dwarf Holly

Malpighia coccigera, known as Dwarf Holly or Singapore Holly, is a tiny, slow-growing, evergreen shrub native to the Caribbean. It features minuscule, glossy, spiny-toothed leaves (only 1/4–1/2 inch long) on a dense, twiggy framework. It produces small, pinkish-white flowers followed by red drupes. Its miniature scale makes it a prized subject for bonsai, fairy gardens, and tiny containers.

Dwarf Holly thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but appreciates regular moisture. It is tender (zone 10+), so in most climates it must be grown as a houseplant or overwintered indoors. Its slow growth and tiny leaves make it a unique, high-detail plant for miniature landscapes and collectors.

Plant Profile