Firethorn / Pyracantha

Pyracantha (from Greek pyr “fire” and akanthos “thorn”, hence firethorn)

Pyracantha and Cotoneaster are beautiful shrubs which belong to the Rosaceae, or Rose family. In South Africa, species of northern temperate origin were introduced as garden ornamentals, and in certain regions they thrived, and their invasiveness quickly became apparent.

Pyracantha / Firethorn Bonsai Tree

Name – Pyracantha
Family – Rosaceae
Type – shrub

Height – 6 to 13 feet (2 to 4 meters)
Exposure – full sun, part sun

Soil: ordinary  –  Foliage: evergreen  –  Flowering: end of spring, early summer


Pyracantha and Cotoneaster are beautiful shrubs which belong to the Rosaceae, or Rose family. In South Africa, species of northern temperate origin were introduced as garden ornamentals, and in certain regions they thrived, and their invasiveness quickly became apparent.
Firethorn-QR-code

Planting Firethorn

It’s all the same whether firethorn is planted in spring or fall, even though planting in November is best.

Firethorn is not demanding as for soil type, but will develop best in well drained soil.

  • Firethorn does well in sun-filled or partly shaded locations.

Propagating Firethorn

Making cuttings in summer is the easiest and fastest option for propagating Pyracantha.

  • Collect your 6-inch (15 cm) cuttings at the end of summer on semi-hardened wood.
  • Remove lower leaves, leaving only the topmost ones.
  • It is possible to dip the cuttings in powdered rooting agents.
  • Plant the cutting in special cutting soil mix.
  • Put the cuttings near light, but not in direct sunlight, and keep the substrate a little moist.
  • Before winter comes, store your cuttings in a luminous, cool room that doesn’t freeze.

Pruning and caring for firethorn

Very hardy to the cold and freezing, resilient after sweltering heat, firethorn is a shrub that only needs little care, especially after it has properly settled in.

Firethorn, or Pyracantha, can be pruned in fall and/or at the beginning of spring, moderately.

  • Prune lightly after the blooming to trigger branching out, which will make your Pyracantha more dense.
  • Severe pruning might weaken your Pyracantha, especially against fire blight.
  • If for some reason you must drastically prune your Pyracantha, best do it at the end of winter.

Important: Pyracantha blooms on stems grown during the previous year. This means that severe pruning will result in one year with very few blooms (and berries).