How to Plant and Grow Pyracantha

Pyracantha is a genus of tenacious semi-evergreen or evergreen shrubs that grow well even in challenging planting sites. In late fall, pyracantha starts to produce showstopping clusters of bright red or orange berries that add bright spots of color to a quiet winter landscape later. As attractive as this shrub is for humans and birds that eat its berries and nest in it, it also has its downsides. It is a rampant grower with invasive potential. It produces sharp thorns, which make it a good, deer-resistant barrier plant for the perimeter of a landscape but can be problematic in a small yard or when spreading in unwanted areas.

Where to Plant Pyracantha

Select a location in full sun with well-drained soil. In terms of pH, the shrub is quite adaptable.

Because of its fast growth, pyracantha is well-suited for a hedge. Its thorns repel animal intruders. Use it near the perimeter of a landscape as a living screen but keep it away from areas with lots of traffic and play areas. Many types of birds love pyracantha; its bright berries serve as a food source and its dense growth serves as a nesting site. Be aware that this shrub is a rampant grower, sometimes producing as much as 2 feet of new growth a year. Choose a planting location carefully to avoid the frustration of a plant that grows exceptionally large and overwhelms the space.

How and When to Plant Pyracantha

Fall is the best time to plant pyracantha because the cool air and soil temperatures encourage the shrub to produce a strong root system. If berry color is important, buy plants when they have fruit. Sometimes plant tags don't accurately represent fruit color.

Always wear long, sturdy gloves when planting or handling pyracantha to protect yourself against the thorns. Dig a hole at least twice the size of the root ball and just as deep. Place the shrub in the hole and backfill with the original soil so that the top of the root ball is flush with the soil. Tamp down the soil and water it well. Water it deeply and regularly during the first growing season.

If planting specimens, space them 5 to 10 feet apart. For a hedge, you can plant them as closely as 2 to 3 feet apart.

Pyracantha Care Tips

Pyracantha is an easy-to-grow shrub that does not usually require much care. Growing it as a hedge or espalier requires a little more effort.

Light

Pyracantha grows best in full sun to part shade. Too much shade will result in fewer berries.

Soil and Water

Pyracantha grows in a variety of soils as long as there is excellent drainage. The pH can be anywhere between 5.5 and 7.5.

Avoid planting pyracantha in highly fertile soil. Excess nitrogen promotes rampant growth that makes the plant more susceptible to fire blight, a deadly bacterial disease that decreases berry production.

Temperature and Humidity

The shrubs are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and climates, from subzero winters to hot summers. They are generally not affected by high humidity. Some varieties are cold-hardier than others so if you are in a northern location, pick one that is suitable to your growing zone.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing pyracantha is not only unnecessary, it can be counterproductive, as rich soil will lead to excessive growth and it also makes the shrub more susceptible to disease.

Pruning

Pyracantha only produces flowers and fruit on stems that are at least one year old. Keep this in mind when pruning and leave some of the old growth standing each year. Prune this shrub anytime although winter, although early spring may be easiest to prune if your pyracantha is a semi-evergreen.

Potting and Repotting Pyracantha

The shrub can be grown in containers but does not transplant well. To avoid repotting it to accommodate its rapid growth, select a larger container, at least twice to three times the size of the nursery pot. Fill it with well-draining potting mix and make sure it has large drainage holes. Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering than plants in the landscape.

Despite its winter-hardiness, pyracantha in pots needs winterization in colder climates, as its roots are exposed to the cold. You can sink the container in the ground or place the container in a second, larger pot to create a planting silo for insulation.

Pests and Problems

Pyracantha is susceptible to two serious problems. Fire blight is a bacterial disease that plagues new and established plants; it kills individual branches first, followed quickly by the entire plant. Scab causes plants to drop their leaves and turns fruit a dark, sooty color. Choosing disease-resistant varieties is the best line of defense against these problems.

How to Propagate Pyracantha

You can propagate pyracantha from cuttings but check first to ensure that the variety isn’t protected by a plant patent, as is the case with several cultivars and hybrids.

In the summer, take a 6-inch semi-hardwood cutting and remove all the leaves from its lower end. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder and insert it in a 4-inch pot filled with damp potting mix. Keep the cutting moist in a moderately warm location in bright light and away from intense sunlight. When you see new growth, roots have formed. Wait for the sapling to grow into a vigorous plant with the roots filling the whole pot before transplanting it into the landscape.

Types of Pyracantha

Firethorn

Pyracantha coccinea, the most popular pyracantha species, is a dense shrub that grows 12 feet tall and wide. It produces white flowers in summer and reddish-orange berries in fall. Zones 6-9

'Lalandei' Pyracantha

This variety of Pyracantha coccinea is a large variety that grows 20 feet tall with a prolific crop of orange-red berries. Zones 6-9

Formosa Firethorn

Pyracantha koidzumii is a heat- and drought-resistant evergreen species with a spreading habit, growing 6 to 12 feet tall and wide. It is less hardy than Pyracantha coccinea. The species is rare but cultivars such as ‘Santa Cruz’, a dwarf variety, and ‘Victory’ are available at nurseries. Zone 7-9

'Mohave' Pyracantha

Pyracantha x 'Mohave' has shiny dark green foliage and huge masses of bright red-orange berries. It grows 8 to 12 feet tall and wide. Zones 6–9

‘Yukon Belle’ Pyracantha

This cultivar of narrowleaf pyracantha (Pyracantha angustifolia) is one of the hardiest varieties. It has evergreen or semi-evergreen, glossy, dark green foliage, an abundance of white flowers in the spring, and orange berries that persist into winter. It grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Zone 5-8