Firethorn (pyracantha) Pyracantha coccinea
Firethorn (pyracantha) (Pyracantha coccinea) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Rosaceae family, native to Southern Europe and southwest Asia (Italy to the Caucasus). It grows 2.5–4.5 m (8.2–15 ft) tall and 2.5–4 m (8.2–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -23 °C (-9 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
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Firethorn (pyracantha) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 2.5–4.5 m (8.2–15 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2.5–4 m (8.2–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -23 °C (-9 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern Europe and southwest Asia (Italy to the Caucasus) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France |
| Invasive in | Australia (Pyracantha species naturalised; P. angustifolia mainly), South Africa (Pyracantha species, NEMBA): check local rules before planting |
Is Firethorn (pyracantha) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: berries, seeds
Berries may cause mild stomach upset and the thorns cause injuries; some sources list it as non-toxic.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Firethorn (pyracantha)
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Wall cotoneaster: Pyracantha and Cotoneaster are both hosts of fireblight (Erwinia amylovora), so an infected plant can pass the bacterium to the other via insects and rain. Evidence B
- caution With Red-tip photinia: Pyracantha and Photinia are both susceptible to fireblight, so plantings of the two close together share the same disease pressure. Evidence B
Shared pests and diseases
- Fire blight: Fire blight bacteria are carried by bees and rain between apples, pears, quince, hawthorn, cotoneaster and firethorn. Evidence B
Questions about Firethorn (pyracantha)
- How far apart should I plant Firethorn (pyracantha)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2.5–4 m (8.2–13 ft).
- Does Firethorn (pyracantha) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Firethorn (pyracantha) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Firethorn (pyracantha)?
- It tolerates about -23 °C (-9 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Firethorn (pyracantha) flower?
- From about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Firethorn (pyracantha) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Berries may cause mild stomach upset and the thorns cause injuries; some sources list it as non-toxic.
- What grows well with Firethorn (pyracantha)?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Thorny; very prone to fireblight, scab and aphids. Bird-dispersed seedlings are a weed problem for some Pyracantha species in southern-hemisphere countries.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata