Spanish gorse (Genista hispanica)
Care, watering, light and tips for Spanish gorse 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 Spanish gorse
Genista hispanica, commonly known as "Spanish gorse" or "hedgehog broom," is a spiny, evergreen shrub native to the Iberian Peninsula. It forms dense, compact mounds, covered in spring with abundant bright yellow flowers that give it a spectacular appearance. It's ideal for rock gardens, dry gardens, or as ground cover in arid areas, adding a wild and Mediterranean touch.
Native range
Iberian Peninsula and North Africa
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal flowering and prefers poor, well-drained, and preferably acidic or neutral soils; it tolerates drought once established. Watering should be sparse, especially in summer, to avoid waterlogging that could rot its roots. A common mistake is attempting to prune it severely, as it does not tolerate deep cuts into old wood well; it's better to perform light shaping or remove dry branches. It does not require fertilizers.
How to save a dying Spanish gorse
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or browning leaves dropping, dry and brittle stems, lack of flowering.
- First aid
- Move to a sunny spot, prune dry branches, and water only when soil is dry to the touch. Ensure good drainage.
- What kills it
- Overwatering (especially in winter) and lack of direct sun. It doesn't tolerate shade or waterlogging.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't rotted and green stems remain. It's very resilient if errors are corrected.