Tree · Rosaceae familyornamental and medicinal · also in Medicinal herbs

Common hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

Full sun in a garden ~4 m × ~3 m Flowers May to −29 °C

Flower colours Click a colour

Herbal tea (infusion)

Herbal tea · dose1–2 gof dried leaves with flowers

steep5–15 min

how oftenup to 4× a day

Full method

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun

in a garden after 10 years~4 m
in the wild up to 9 m
spacing 5 m

FlowersMay

PlantingMarch–April, October–November

WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more

Part shade3–6 hours

Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH

acidicneutralalkaline

dry to averageloamysandy

Watering

regularly until establishedat the base, not on the leavesless when it rains

Frost

−29 °C

no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

4–9 m× spread 3–6 m

Plant 5 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

FlowersPlantingFeeding

Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, bare-root).

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May · white

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November; bare-root: March, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

What to plant now (October) full list in October (244) →

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level

Fire blight

Erwinia amylovora

Medium riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus

More about this problem

What you will see

Flowers wilt and die during flowering, shoots bend over like a shepherd's crook. Under the bark the wood is reddish-brown, with a slimy ooze in damp weather. A quarantine pest: report it to your national plant-protection authority.

The source says: it is among the most commonly damaged plants.

When to look

Spring – autumn

How to protect

Prevention
- Do not overdo nitrogen.
- Remove late secondary blossom.
- Disinfect tools between cuts.
By hand from 2 weeks after flowering until the end of summerCut affected shoots 30 cm (larger branches 60 cm) below the visible damage, into healthy wood; disinfect tools.

Fire blightdisease · spring – autumnMedium risk

What you will see

The source says: it is among the most commonly damaged plants.

When to look

Spring – autumn

How to protect

Prevention
- Do not overdo nitrogen.
- Remove late secondary blossom.
- Disinfect tools between cuts.
By hand from 2 weeks after flowering until the end of summerCut affected shoots 30 cm (larger branches 60 cm) below the visible damage, into healthy wood; disinfect tools.

More about this problem

Entomosporium leaf spot

Medium riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus

More about this problem

What you will see

Spots on hawthorn leaves.

The source says: it belongs to the susceptible genera.

How to protect

Prevention
- Rake up fallen leaves.
By hand autumnRemove fallen leaves.

Entomosporium leaf spotdiseaseMedium risk

What you will see

Spots on hawthorn leaves.

The source says: it belongs to the susceptible genera.

How to protect

Prevention
- Rake up fallen leaves.
By hand autumnRemove fallen leaves.

More about this problem

Hawthorn rust

diseasesource covers the whole genus

What you will see

Yellow-orange spots on leaves with black dots.

How to protect

Prevention
- Rake up the leaves.
By hand autumnRemove fallen leaves.

Hawthorn rustdisease

What you will see

Yellow-orange spots on leaves with black dots.

How to protect

Prevention
- Rake up the leaves.
By hand autumnRemove fallen leaves.

Honey fungus

Armillaria

diseasesource covers the whole genus

More about this problem

What you will see

Dieback of branches or the whole plant, smaller pale leaves. Under the bark at the root collar, white spongy tissue with a mushroom smell. Honey-coloured clusters of toadstools in autumn.

When to look

Summer – autumn

How to protect

Prevention
- Choose the least susceptible species; risky ground after old trees have been felled.
By hand all yearOnce confirmed, dig up and destroy affected roots and stumps; sink a 45 cm deep plastic barrier into the soil. There is no chemical control for gardeners.

Honey fungusdisease · summer – autumn

What you will see

Dieback of branches or the whole plant, smaller pale leaves. Under the bark at the root collar, white spongy tissue with a mushroom smell. Honey-coloured clusters of toadstools in autumn.

When to look

Summer – autumn

How to protect

Prevention
- Choose the least susceptible species; risky ground after old trees have been felled.
By hand all yearOnce confirmed, dig up and destroy affected roots and stumps; sink a 45 cm deep plastic barrier into the soil. There is no chemical control for gardeners.

More about this problem

Sources (7)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does common hawthorn flower?

In May; the flowers are white.

Does common hawthorn tolerate shade?

No, it needs full sun.

How much space does common hawthorn need?

At maturity 3–6 m wide and 4–9 m tall; recommended spacing 5 m.

Fire blight — what can you do?

Do not overdo nitrogen. Cut affected shoots 30 cm (larger branches 60 cm) below the visible damage, into healthy wood; disinfect tools.

Hawthorn rust — what can you do?

Rake up the leaves. Remove fallen leaves.

Sources (21) Checked 24 October 2026

landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu
vdberk.com
api.gbif.org
gd.eppo.int
rhs.org.uk 2 3 4 5 6 7
ema.europa.eu 2
lwg.bayern.de
hgic.clemson.edu
Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark

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Preparation and use · common hawthorn

How to prepare it.

According to the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Part usedLeaf with flower

temporary nervous heart complaints (e.g. palpitations) once a doctor has excluded serious conditionsmild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep

part: leaf with flower

For: temporary nervous heart complaints (e.g. palpitations) once a doctor has excluded serious conditions For whom: From 18 years · adults, elderly

What you use: Herb
How it is used: By mouth
Single dose: 1–2 g of dried leaves with flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
How often: Up to 4× a day
Daily maximum: At most 6 g a day
How long: If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor.

Method

1
Put 1–2 g of dried leaves with flowers in a cup.
2
Pour over 150 ml of boiling water.
3
Steep for 5–15 min.
10:00
4
Drink up to 4× a day.
5
No more than 6 g a day.

Dosage

Form	Single dose	How often	For whom	How long	Instructions
Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: leaf with flower	1–2 g of dried leaves with flowers in 150 ml of boiling water	up to 4× a day	From 18 years · adults, elderly	longer than 2 weeks → see a doctor	Daily maximum: at most 6 g a day
Adults only

How long

If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor.

Who should not use it

Adults only
If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plant
During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended)

Cautions

Only after a doctor has excluded serious conditions.
If ankles or legs swell, pain occurs around the heart (spreading to arms, upper abdomen or neck) or breathing becomes difficult, see a doctor immediately.
If symptoms get worse, see a doctor.

Usage data: European Medicines Agency (EMA) monograph — Crataegi folium cum flore·Steeping time: EMA glossary on herbal teas

Home-made tincture · per the EMA

Tincture at home.

The EMA also lists a tincture. This is how to make it from dried herb from your bed.

Part usedLeaf with flower

Herb : alcohol ratio1 : 3.5–4.5e.g. 22–29 g per 100 ml

Alcohol35 %ethanol

Steep3 daysin the dark, at room temperature

Single dose1.68 gadults only

Weigh

22–29 g

of dried leaves with flowers, chopped

Cover with alcohol

100 ml

ethanol 35 %, in a glass jar

Leave to steep

3 days

close the jar, keep it in the dark and shake it now and then

Strain

into a dark bottle

press out the herb, label the bottle with name and date

Use

1.68 g

adults only

Before taking the tincture

The tincture contains alcohol. Read this before use:

Adults only
If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plant
During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended)
The tincture contains alcohol (ethanol).
Only after a doctor has excluded serious conditions.
If ankles or legs swell, pain occurs around the heart (spreading to arms, upper abdomen or neck) or breathing becomes difficult, see a doctor immediately.
If symptoms get worse, see a doctor.
If you take any medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Do not drive after taking it.

Good to know

How long

If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor.

What 1 : 3.5–4.5 means

1 g of dried leaves with flowers per 3.5–4.5 ml of alcohol — so 22–29 g per 100 ml.

Which alcohol

Ethanol 35 %.

Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA) monograph — Crataegi folium cum flore · Steeping days and straining. Conversions (grams per 100 ml) are calculated by GridGarden from the ratio in the monograph. Cautions not in the monograph were added by GridGarden.

Common hawthorn in a raised bed: where to plant, size, pruning, winterGrowing

This is not medical advice. More

This is not medical advice. We only state traditional use as described in the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA, HMPC committee). If you have health problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding, for children and when taking medicines, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

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