Hawthorn (Crataegus grandifolia)
Care, watering, light and tips for Hawthorn on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Rosaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 0–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Hawthorn
The tejocote (Crataegus grandifolia) is a medium-sized deciduous tree or shrub, valued for its white spring blossoms and small yellow or orange fruits that persist into winter. Its dense, thorny habit makes it ideal for defensive hedges or as a specimen plant in country and wildlife gardens. It is a very hardy and long-lived tree.
Native range
Mexico and Central America
Care tips
It prefers full sun exposure for optimal flowering and fruiting, though it tolerates light partial shade. It is highly adaptable to various soil types, as long as they have good drainage, including poor and calcareous soils. Watering should be moderate once established, as it tolerates drought well. A common mistake is excessive and uncontrolled pruning, as it can affect the following year's bloom.
How to save a dying Hawthorn
- Warning signs
- Yellowish/brown, wilting leaves, premature flower/fruit drop, weak growth.
- First aid
- Check watering, ensure good drainage, prune dry branches, apply fungicide if spots appear.
- What kills it
- Constant waterlogging causing root rot; complete lack of water during drought.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if addressed quickly and conditions corrected. It's quite resilient.