Genista cinerea
Care, watering, light and tips for Genista cinerea 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 Genista cinerea
Genista cinerea, commonly known as Ashy Broom, is a deciduous shrub from the legume family, native to the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. It is characterized by its abundant yellow flowers in spring and its silvery foliage, which gives it a very ornamental appearance. It is ideal for Mediterranean gardens, rockeries, or as ground cover on dry, sunny slopes.
Native range
Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa
Care tips
This broom prefers full sun exposure to flower profusely. It is very drought tolerant once established, so watering should be scarce, especially in winter. It requires well-drained, sandy or stony soil, and is not demanding in terms of nutrients. The most common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
How to save a dying Genista cinerea
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or massive leaf drop, dry and brittle stems, lack of flowering.
- First aid
- Move to partial shade if in full sun, check drainage, prune dry branches, water moderately.
- What kills it
- Overwatering (root rot) or prolonged extreme drought. Also waterlogging.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted and some green stems remain, it can re-sprout.