How to Grow Yellow Broom Plant - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team / 2025

Yellow broom is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to southwestern Europe (France, Portugal, Spain and northwest Italy). Growing to 13 m (40120 in) tall and wide, it is an evergreen shrub with bright yellow pea-flowers in spring and summer.

How to Grow Yellow Broom Plant - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

Cytisus scoparius
Genista scoparius
Astragalus scoparius
Ulex europaeus
Cytisus striatus

Basic info

Yellow broom is a shrub that can reach up to four meters in height.
It has thin, yellow leaves and small, yellow flowers.
The plant is native to the Mediterranean region.
It was introduced to California in the mid-19th century.
Yellow broom is a drought-tolerant plant.
It is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
The plant can be invasive in some areas.
It is a food source for some butterfly larvae.
The plant can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested in large quantities.
Yellow broom is a member of the pea family.

Planting Process

For yellow broom , first step is to take the seed and plant it in soil.
Give the plant some water.
Wait for the seed to germinate.
When the seed germinates, it will start to grow a little yellow broom plant.
Eventually, the yellow broom plant will start to grow taller and produce some flowers.
Once the plant produces flowers, you can pollinate them with a brush or your finger.
After pollination, the flowers will turn into seed pods.
Once the seed pods mature, you can harvest the seeds from inside.
To plant the seeds, simply put them back into some soil.
Give the new plants some water and wait for them to grow!

Related plant:
Potentilla Yellow

Soil Condition

About soil condition, the yellow broom grows best in well-drained, sandy soils with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0, but it is also tolerant of heavy clay soils and extended drought. It will not tolerate waterlogged soils.

Light condition

Just like other plants, a yellow broom needs sun to grow properly. It should be placed in an area where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. If possible, try to give it a spot where it will get morning sun and afternoon shade. This will help to prevent the leaves from burning.

Good Temperature

The temperature is perfect for yellow broom. The sun is shining and the breeze is blowing. The flowers are nodding in the breeze, as if they are acknowledging the perfect conditions. The yellow broom is basking in the perfect temperature, and everything is right with the world.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 40%. However, it can still survive and thrive in lower humidity conditions such as 30%. If the humidity drops below 30%, the leaves of the plant will start to turn brown and crisp.

Fertilizing

Discussing fertilizer, usually the plant food is applied to the top of the soil and then watered in. However, when it comes to the roots, they mainly rely on the soil nutrients already present. The roots will grow where they can find the food and water they need. It's important to keep the roots healthy by watering regularly and fertilizing when needed.

Light requirement

Pruning is a vital part of keeping your yellow broom plant healthy and looking its best. Pruning helps to encourage new growth, keeps the plant from getting too leggy, and can even help to prevent disease. When pruning your yellow broom plant, be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears. Make sure to prune early in the season, before the plant begins to produce new growth.

About Propagating

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from a parent plant. The yellow broom is a shrub that can be easily propagated from cuttings. Cuttings should be taken from the tips of the plant in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be about 6 inches long and should have at least 2-3 sets of leaves. Cuttings should be placed in a well-draining potting mix and kept humid until they have rooted. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into their own pots.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the particular species. Many species of yellow broom grow quickly, while others grow more slowly. The climate and amount of sunlight also play a role in the growth rate of yellow broom.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant is the disease yellow broom and the insect broom rust. The disease yellow broom is caused by the fungus Platanus orientalis which attacks the leaves and stems of the plant. This disease can be controlled by pruning the affected parts of the plant and by applying a fungicide. The insect broom rust is caused by the fungus Uredo rangelii which attacks the leaves and stems of the plant. This disease can be controlled by spraying the plant with an insecticide.

Basics of Growing

Do not forget to water your broom regularly. It is a very drought-tolerant plant, but it will perform better with consistent moisture.
Apply a layer of mulch around your broom plant to help retain moisture in the soil.
When growing broom in containers, make sure to use a well-draining potting mix.
Place your broom plant in an area that receives full sun for best results.
Cut back the plant in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.
Be on the lookout for pests or diseases that could affect your broom plant.
Fertilize your broom plant every few months with a balanced fertilizer.
Prune your broom plant regularly to keep it looking tidy and to encourage new growth.
Give your broom plant plenty of room to grow. It can spread quite a bit, so don't plant it too close to other plants or structures