Retama sphaerocarpa
Care, watering, light and tips for Retama sphaerocarpa on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Fabaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Retama sphaerocarpa
Retama sphaerocarpa, commonly known as broom or ginesta, is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Fabaceae family, native to the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. It is characterized by its slender, flexible branches, often leafless or with very small, deciduous leaves, and its spectacular spherical yellow blooms in spring. It is ideal for low-maintenance gardens, slopes, rockeries, or as an ornamental plant in dry, sunny areas, adding a wild touch and vibrant color.
Native range
Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia).
Care tips
This species thrives in full sun and is highly drought-tolerant once established. Watering should be infrequent, especially in summer, avoiding waterlogging which can rot its roots; water only when the substrate is completely dry. It prefers well-drained soils, even poor and stony ones, without the need for much organic matter. A common mistake is overwatering or planting it in heavy, poorly drained soils, which will compromise its health.
How to save a dying Retama sphaerocarpa
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or premature leaf drop, dry or brittle stems, sparse or absent flowering.
- First aid
- Move to full sun if not already. Check drainage and soil pH (ideally neutral-alkaline). Reduce watering if substrate is moist.
- What kills it
- Excessive shade, overwatering in heavy soils (root rot), or lack of drainage. It does not tolerate constant humidity.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotten. Act quickly by correcting environment and watering.