Scarlet firethorn

Pyracantha coccinea

Family: Rosaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

stems (sharp spines, per NC State, Clemson and RHS)

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

physical injury from long sharp thorns, possible allergic reaction to the spines (Clemson)

Hazard route

skin (thorn punctures and possible allergic reaction). Berry toxicity: not confirmed, no source makes a statement, and the NC State page has no poison lines. Do not eat the berries.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA was searched by species and common names and has no page that assesses this plant. Dogs, cats, horses: none of the sources (NC State, Clemson, RHS) make a toxicity statement for pets, and the NC State page has no poison lines. That is a gap, not an all clear. NC State advises planting away from places where children and pets spend time because of the sharp spines.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 6a to 9b per NC State Plant Toolbox; USDA 6 to 9 per Clemson HGIC (zone 5 possible with a hardy variety)
Light: Full sun to part shade.
Water needs: low
Mature size: US: NC State: 6 to 18 ft tall and 8 to 18 ft wide. Clemson: 10 to 15 ft tall and about 10 ft wide, growing very fast, sometimes more than 2 ft a year. Named varieties are smaller, for example 'Apache' about 5 to 6 ft and 'Lowboy' 2 to 5 ft (NC State).; UK: RHS: about 12 ft (4 m) tall and 12 ft (4 m) wide (whole genus).
Where it comes from: NC State: south central and southern Europe east to Iran; native list includes Albania, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Lebanon-Syria, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and others. Introduced in many US states. Clemson: native to southern Europe east to China (whole genus).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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