A holding device for holding plastic containers and in particular plastic parisons with a holding section which can be introduced into a mouth of the plastic containers, wherein the holding section has at least one first holding element and one second holding element which are movable relative to one another and which in each case have a section which can be applied to an inner wall of the mouth. According to the invention an expansion body which supports the two holding elements at least intermittently is disposed between the holding elements, wherein a replaceable expansion element is disposed on this expansion body, wherein this expansion element is located at least in some sections between the expansion body and the holding elements.