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Fame Shock News

sweet broom plant

Author

Matthew Wilson

Updated on June 22, 2026

It is considered a weed in many areas but used as medicinal herb for a wide range of uses including treatment for digestive problems, pulmonary conditions, fever, skin disorders, hypertension, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, dysentery, insect bites, anemia, albuminuria, diabetes, herpes, etc.

Can you propagate sweet broom?

Propagate sweet broom by stem cuttings in spring or summer. Place the cuttings in a mixture of moist peat and perlite, and cover the container with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to keep the moisture in. Place your pot in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light.

How do you take care of a broom?

Give an inch of water each week during its first summer and during heat or drought. Let the soil dry out between waterings. Sweet broom benefits from habitual watering if the location is dry and the soil is poor.

Where does broom grow best?

Where to grow broom. Plant broom in any well drained soil, in a sunny spot. Broom does well on poor, stony or sandy soils and can also be planted on a slope. If you have alkaline soil, opt for Genista.

Is Sweet Broom toxic to dogs?

Broom is on the Dog’s Trust’s list of poisonous plants, containing toxic alkaloids that can have an adverse effect on animal’s heart and central nervous system, if ingested.

How big does Genista grow?

Genista is a hardy deciduous flowering shrub grown for its profusion of scented yellow pea like flowers that appear in late spring. The variety aetnensis can grow to a height of 5-6 metres (15-20ft) and cinerea about half that.

How long do broom plants live?

Cytisus ‘Porlock’ is a much more vigorous evergreen grower although its life span may only be 10 years or so. It flowers profusely in the spring with clear yellow fragrant flowers and can readily grow to 10ft or so in maturity.

Does sweet broom grow fast?

Fast growing to 6 to 8 ft. tall, 5 to 6 ft. wide.

Will deer eat sweet broom?

Some plants are have tough, leathery leaves that are hard to chew, and deer tend to avoid them. Plants like broom (Cytisus or Genista spp.) have tough, stringy foliage and stems; both types are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. Yucca, hardy in USDA zones 4 through 11, has fibrous sword-like leaves.

Can you prune broom plants?

Pruning Broom

Cytisus are generally pruned annually once flowering has finished. Varieties that flower on last year’s growth should ideally be cut back by two-thirds. Varieties that flower on this year’s growth should be pruned in early spring.

How tall does broom grow?

Brooms can get 3 to 10 feet (92 cm. – 3 m.) tall with angled stems and small simple to trifoliate leaves.

How do you plant Genista?

Grow Broom plants in any light, well-drained soil in full sun. Genista is tough and resilient, even thriving in poor, sandy soils. Genista plants require very little maintenance, simply trim plants lightly after flowering to keep them dense and bushy.

Does broom grow in shade?

Broom is a deciduous plant. It blooms its vivid yellow in late spring. It prefers to be planted in full sun but will tolerate a little shade and can be used to provide texture and height in a flower border.

Does sweet broom attract butterflies?

Cheerful yellow blooms cascade like tow-headed curls during the spring, decorating the bulk of the plant and adding a refreshing pop to your landscape. Not only will these showy flowers catch your attention and brighten your day, but they are also fragrant, attracting butterflies, birds, and other pollinators.

Is sweet broom plant poisonous?

This plant contains small amounts of a toxin called quinolizidine alkaloids. This is found in all parts of the plant. Ingestion results in vomiting, abdominal discomfort, weakness, incoordination and possible increased heart rate.

Is Sweet Broom poisonous to cats?

The primary toxin in the Scotch broom weed is quinolizidine alkaloids. Scotch broom poisoning in cats may not be severe. However, if your cat ingests large quantities of the Scotch broom, they may develop serious and possibly life-threatening symptoms.