You should usually evolve Growlithe in FireRed right after it learns Flamethrower, then immediately teach Arcanine ExtremeSpeed at the same level.

Quick Scoop

In Pokémon FireRed, Growlithe evolves into Arcanine with a Fire Stone, which you can buy at the Celadon Dept. Store. The real question isn’t “how” but when , because stone evolutions stop learning most level‑up moves once evolved.

The Popular “Sweet Spot” (Around Level 49–50)

Most current forum and guide discussions for FireRed recommend:

  1. Keep Growlithe until it learns Flamethrower at level 49.
  1. At that same level, use your Fire Stone so it evolves into Arcanine.
  1. As soon as it evolves, Arcanine can learn ExtremeSpeed, giving you a very strong priority move on top of Flamethrower.

This timing gives you:

  • A powerful, accurate STAB special move (Flamethrower).
  • A strong priority physical move (ExtremeSpeed) for finishing weakened foes.
  • Fully evolved stats for the Elite Four and late‑game story.

If Waiting to 49 Feels Too Long

Some players find level 49 too late in a casual playthrough and use compromise strategies:

  • Wait until level 31–32 so Growlithe learns Flame Wheel, then use TM Flamethrower from the Game Corner and evolve earlier.
  • This lets you enjoy Arcanine’s high stats for more of the game while still having a good Fire move.

A typical “middle-ground” example you’ll see in discussions:

“Last time I had Growlithe until level 32, taught it Flame Wheel then Flamethrower (TM), and evolved it then and there. It meant I could use it from the fourth gym onwards.”

Different Playstyles, Different Choices

Players discussing this in recent threads tend to split into a few camps:

  • Power‑gamer/late‑evolver: Wait for Flamethrower (49) and then evolve for ExtremeSpeed.
  • Early‑power fan: Evolve as soon as you get a Fire Stone, valuing Arcanine’s raw stats over move flexibility.
  • Compromise planner: Get Flame Wheel plus TM Flamethrower, then evolve mid‑game so Arcanine carries you through gyms and the Elite Four.

Guides about “best time to evolve Growlithe” in general (across games) echo the same idea: delay evolution until after it learns key Fire moves, then evolve to maximize power.

Simple Recommendation for FireRed

If you just want a clear plan:

  • For a strong, efficient story run:
    • Keep Growlithe until level 49 → learn Flamethrower → use Fire Stone → teach Arcanine ExtremeSpeed right away.
  • If grinding to 49 sounds annoying:
    • Keep it until around 31–32 for Flame Wheel, teach TM Flamethrower from the Game Corner, then evolve as soon as you’re ready.

TL;DR: In FireRed, the most recommended timing is “wait until Growlithe learns Flamethrower (49), then evolve so Arcanine can grab ExtremeSpeed,” but it’s totally fine to evolve earlier if you value using Arcanine longer over perfect moves.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.