Broom (Cytisus versicolor)
Care, watering, light and tips for Broom on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Fabaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 5 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Broom
Cytisus versicolor, also known as two-coloured broom or brokginst, is a deciduous shrub from the Fabaceae family, valued for its spectacular spring bloom. Its small, pea-like flowers, appearing in clusters, display a fascinating combination of yellow and orange or reddish hues, often changing color as they mature. It is ideal for rockeries, sunny borders, or as a specimen plant in low-maintenance gardens.
Native range
Southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula) and Northwest Africa
Care tips
It requires full sun for abundant flowering and optimal development. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry out between waterings, as it is drought-tolerant once established. It prefers well-drained, poor to moderately fertile, sandy or stony soils. Avoid waterlogging and heavy, clayey soils, which can lead to root rot.
How to save a dying Broom
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or falling leaves, dry shoots, no flowering.
- First aid
- Check soil drainage and moisture. Prune dry branches. Protect from intense cold.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor drainage, causing root rot. Also prolonged extreme cold.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if the roots are not completely rotten and the problem is addressed promptly.