What soil does Chinese hawthorn grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous.

Is Chinese hawthorn hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Chinese hawthorn toxic to dogs?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to dogs.

Is Chinese hawthorn toxic to cats?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to cats.

How far from the house should Chinese hawthorn be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

How much water does Chinese hawthorn need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: high.

Chinese hawthorn

Crataegus pinnatifida

Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) is a small tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Non-toxic to dogs and cats. Sold in local shops from about €21.

Illustration of Chinese hawthorn — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A hawthorn grown as a fruit tree: gardens get the large-fruited form (var. major) and its cultivars, whose glossy red, apple-flavoured fruits of 2 to 4 centimetres ripen in early autumn and are good fresh, candied or as jam, syrup and compote. It makes a small tree or large shrub with a dense head of big leaves, white flower clusters around May and foliage that turns reddish in autumn; the cultivars carry hardly any thorns. It is very hardy and undemanding, takes heavy and chalky soil and, once established, drought, but it crops best in full sun. Sources describe it as self-fertile, so a single tree bears fruit.

Watch out for

Hawthorns are hosts of fire blight (Erwinia amylovora): cut suddenly browning, hooked shoots back into healthy wood and watch the tree closely near apples, pears and quinces. Rust and leaf spot can appear in humid years. Part of the crop hangs on the tree for a long time, and fallen fruit makes a mess on paving.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 3.5 m × 2.5 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, white

Group	Small tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	3.5 m × 2.5 m
Ultimate size	4–7.5 m × 3–7 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, white
Harvest	September–October
Self-fertile	yes
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	400 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic
For cats	Non-toxic
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €21

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €21

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants that are non-toxic to dogs Plants that are non-toxic to cats Small ornamental trees Small trees for beside paths and paving Plants with autumn colour Plants with edible fruit

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