Scotch Broom
Also known as: Cytisus scoparius · Broom · Common Broom · English Broom · Scot's Broom
Invasive — please don't plant
When & where
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Invasive in much of North America — please don't plant it. This page is here so you can identify it and choose a native alternative. Scarify hard seed coat by nicking or rubbing with sandpaper, then sow in well-drained soil. Transplant carefully — broom dislikes root disturbance.
Pre-sow treatment
Scarify seed coat to speed water uptake and germination.
Grower's tip
Invasive in much of North America — please don't plant it. This page is here so you can identify it and choose a native alternative. Showy yellow pea-flowers on wiry green stems. Can be invasive in some regions; check local restrictions before planting.
Good to know before you grow this
Can spread aggressively and is invasive in some regions — check your local invasive-species list before planting.
Soil preferences
Well-drained garden soil. Native/wildflower species prefer lean soil; cutting flowers prefer richer beds.
6.0–7.0
Work 1 in of compost into beds before sowing. Skip nitrogen fertilizer on wildflowers — it favors foliage over blooms.
Watering
1 in per week during establishment, drought-tolerant once rooted for most species.
Deep, infrequent soakings at the base. Overhead water on ornamentals promotes botrytis and rust.
Overwatered: rotted crowns, mildew, floppy stems. Underwatered: small blooms, curled leaves, quick fade.
Either works — Bottom-water seed trays and young potted annuals to protect fragile stems from damping-off. Top-water established plants at the base in the morning so foliage dries by night. Avoid overhead sprinkling on open blooms.
Temperature tolerance
60–80°F (16–27°C) ideal for most annuals
50–65°F (10–18°C)
Cool-season annuals (larkspur, poppy, snapdragon) tolerate light frost; warm-season annuals (zinnia, cosmos, marigold) are frost-tender.
Container growing
Possible with the right cultivar
8–14 in (20–35 cm) wide
Compact and dwarf types do best in pots; tall cutting flowers need staking.
Succession planting
Sow cutting flowers (zinnia, cosmos, sunflower) every 3 weeks through midsummer for continuous cut stems.
Detailed harvesting
Cut in early morning when stems are turgid. For cutting varieties, harvest when the bud is just showing color and 1–2 outer petals have opened.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Immediately re-cut stems underwater and place in clean cool water for 4 hrs before arranging. Petals can be dried on screens for potpourri or crafts.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Cut flowers, dried arrangements, pollinator habitat.
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Mostly insect-pollinated (outcrossing).
For pure strains, isolate 150–800 ft or bag heads. Wildflower mixes are meant to cross freely.
Stop deadheading favorite blooms; let heads dry brown and rattling on the stem, then collect into a paper bag.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for scotch broom in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
My Scotch Broom notes
Scotch Broom seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
Order more seeds
Running low? Reorder from one of these seed stores.
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