How to Grow Pyracantha Mohave - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Pyracantha mohave is an evergreen shrub that can grow to be about 15 feet tall. It has dark green leaves and produces small, white flowers in the spring. In the fall, the pyracantha mohave produces small, red berries that are popular with birds. This shrub is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

How to Grow Pyracantha Mohave - Plant Care & Tips

Also known as

  • Desert Fire
  • Mohave Pyracantha
  • Rocky Mountain Firethorn
  • Tohajan
  • Utah Pyracantha

Things to Know

  • Pyracantha Mohave is a desert shrub that can grow up to 10 feet tall.
  • It has long, sharp thorns that can reach up to 3 inches in length.
  • The Mohave dessert shrub is native to the Mohave Desert in California.
  • It is drought tolerant and can survive in harsh conditions.
  • The Pyracantha Mohave produces small, white flowers that bloom in the spring.
  • The bush is covered in red berries in the fall and winter months.
  • The berries are toxic to humans but are a food source for many birds and animals.
  • Pyracantha Mohave is used as an ornamental plant in many landscaping designs.
  • It is also used as a security hedge due to its sharp thorns.
  • The Pyracantha Mohave can live up to 20 years with proper care.

Related plant:
Pyracantha Orange Glow

Planting Process

  1. For pyracantha mohave, first step is to find a good location. This plant prefers full sun, but can tolerate partial shade.
  2. The second step is to prepare the soil. This plant prefers well-drained soil.
  3. The third step is to plant the pyracantha mohave.
  4. The fourth step is to water the plant. This plant prefers moist soil.
  5. The fifth step is to fertilize the plant. This plant prefers a balanced fertilizer.
  6. The sixth step is to prune the plant. This plant can be pruned to control its size and shape.
  7. The seventh step is to protect the plant from pests and diseases.
  8. The eighth step is to enjoy the plant.
  9. The ninth step is to replant the pyracantha mohave every few years.
  10. The tenth step is to share the plant with others.

Related plant:
Pyracantha Teton

The Soil

About soil condition, Pyracantha Mohave can adapt to different types of soil as long as the drainage is good. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 but can tolerate alkaline soils up to pH 8.5. It also does best in moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate some drought once established.

About light

Not too different with other Pyracantha, Mohave is tolerant of a wide range of sun exposures including full sun to partial shade. Full sun is defined as 6 or more hours of direct sun per day. Partial shade is defined as 2-6 hours of direct sun per day.

Good Temperature

The temperature conditions that are best for the growth of Pyracantha Mohave are warm days and cool nights. This plant does not do well in cold weather. The ideal temperature for this plant is between 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 60-80%. The plant cannot tolerate too much or too little moisture. If the air is too dry, the leaves will drop and the plant will eventually die. If the air is too moist, the leaves will turn yellow and the plant will be more susceptible to fungal diseases.

Fertilizing

Regarding fertilizer, usually the plant does not need much. If you live in an area with poor soil, you might need to give it a little extra help in the form of a root booster. This will help the plant to better absorb nutrients from the soil. As for the roots, they are quite strong and can tolerate some disturbance.

About light

Pruning is an important part of caring for your pyracantha mohave. It helps to encourage new growth and keep the plant healthy. You should prune your pyracantha mohave in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Use sharp, clean pruning shears to make clean cuts. Remove any dead or damaged branches, as well as any branches that are rubbing together. You can also prune to shape the plant or to control its size.

The Propagation

Propagation is accomplished by rooting hardwood cuttings taken from the plant in late winter or early spring. Cuttings should be 4 to 6 inches long and be taken from new growth that is just beginning to harden off. Before planting the cuttings, dip the lower 2 inches in rooting hormone. Fill a planting container with a well-draining potting mix and make several holes in the mix with a pencil. Stick the cuttings into the holes, making sure that at least 2 inches of the cutting is buried in the potting mix. Firm the mix around the cuttings and water thoroughly. Place the container in a plastic bag to create a humid environment for the cuttings. Set the bagged container in a bright location but out of direct sunlight. Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy and wait for the cuttings to root, which usually takes four to six weeks.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate during the spring and summer months, when the weather is warm and the days are long. However, some growth may occur during the fall and winter months if the plant is in a sheltered location. The ideal growing conditions for pyracantha mohave include full sun and well-drained soil. This plant is tolerant of average soil conditions, but it will not tolerate wet or soggy soil.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, canker, and scale. Powdery mildew is a white powdery fungus that appears on the leaves and stems of the plant. Canker is a black or brown sunken area on the plant that is caused by a fungus or bacterium. Scale is a small, hard, armored insect that sucks the sap out of the plant.

Tips on Growing

  • Remember to water your pyracantha regularly, especially during the hotter months.
  • Add a slow release fertilizer to the soil before planting to encourage growth.
  • Pyracantha are fast growers, so you may need to prune them back occasionally to keep them in check.
  • Be sure to plant your pyracantha in an area that gets full sun for best results.
  • These plants are quite drought tolerant once established, so don't worry if you forget to water them occasionally.
  • Pyracantha can be susceptible to aphids and other pests, so keep an eye out for these and treat them accordingly.
  • These plants produce berries, which can be quite messy if left to fall on the ground. Consider placing a sheet or tarp underneath them to catch the berries and prevent them from making a mess.
  • Birds love the berries of pyracantha, so if you have a problem

Substitution

  • Pyracantha angustifolia
  • Pyracantha coccinea is similar to young stems of P. mohave
  • Pyracantha crenulata
  • Pyracantha crenulata
  • Pyracantha crenulata is a host plant of Pyracantha denticulata
  • Pyracantha crenulata is also host to Pyracantha coccinea
  • Pyracantha crenulata produces nectar that attracts bees
  • Pyracantha crenulata is also a source of pollen for bees
  • Pyracantha crenulata has been used as a rootstock for grafting Pyracantha scabrella
  • Pyracantha crenulata is also a host plant for Pseudococcidae, scale insects

Source:
Laland Pyracantha (Firethorn)
Managing Pests in Gardens: Trees and Shrubs: Pyracantha—UC …
Ask Extension - Pyracantha Mohave (Trees & Shrubs)

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category