What soil does Common broom grow in?

It tolerates these soils: sandy, acidic, average garden soil.

Is Common broom hardy?

Hardy down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H7). It gets through winter everywhere at lower altitudes, but may not survive unprotected in a mountain garden.

How far from the house should Common broom be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Common broom flower?

Flowering: May–June, yellow, red, pink, orange.

How much water does Common broom need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Common broom cost?

It sells for roughly €4.60 to €14 in local shops, depending on size.

Common broom

Cytisus scoparius

Common broom (Cytisus scoparius) is a shrub. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -23 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €4.60.

Illustration of Common broom — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An upright shrub of whippy, almost leafless green stems that disappear under pea flowers in May: the species is yellow, while the hybrids sold by cultivar name ('Boskoop Ruby', 'Lena', 'Burkwoodii', 'Andreanus', 'Luna') are red, orange, bicoloured or cream and mostly stay between 1 and 1.5 metres. The earlier flowering Cytisus × praecox forms sold alongside them ('Allgold', 'Albus') want the same treatment. It belongs in full sun on poor, loose, sandy, acidic to neutral soil, where it hardly needs watering; it sulks on limy, heavy or wet ground. It is short-lived (5 to 10 years), so do not build a planting around it: shorten the green shoots every year right after flowering, but never cut into old wood, because it will not resprout from there. All parts are poisonous.

Watch out for

In Central Europe the shoots freeze back in hard winters without snow cover and older bushes can die outright; the cultivars are more tender than the species and want a sheltered, sunny spot. On limy or waterlogged soil it yellows and soon fails. An old, bare-legged bush cannot be rejuvenated because it does not resprout from old wood, so it has to be replaced. The species sets plenty of seed and scatters itself in the garden, the cultivars far less. Outside Europe (the west coast of North America, Australia, New Zealand) it is a serious invader, but in Central Europe it is a native or long-established species and is not on an official invasive list here.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 1.5 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -23 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–June, yellow, red, pink, orange

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	1.5 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	1–2.4 m × 1–2.4 m
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Soil	Sandy, Acidic, Average garden soil
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–June, yellow, red, pink, orange
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	120 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)
For children	Toxic
Typical price	from about €4.60

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
40-60 cm	approx. €7.40
size not stated	approx. €4.90 – €14

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

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