Is Scotch broom invasive?

Yes, it is considered a serious invasive species in many regions outside its native range.

Does it need pruning?

Light pruning after flowering helps maintain a compact shape and prevents the plant from becoming woody.

Plant guide

Scotch broom.

Cytisus scoparius

Pronounced SY-tih-sus skoh-PAIR-ee-us

Also known as Broom, Broomtops, Common Broom, English Broom, European Broom

Scotch broom is a hardy, deciduous shrub known for its vibrant yellow flowers that bloom in late spring. It is quite resilient and often found in open, sunny areas. Keep in mind that it can become invasive in certain regions.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 1 to 3 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant this shrub in well draining soil where it can receive plenty of sun. Watch for yellowing leaves or stunted growth, which often signal poor drainage or nutrient issues. Prune it back after flowering to keep the shape tidy and encourage more blooms next year.

Watering: Water regularly until established, then it becomes quite drought tolerant.
Feeding: A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is usually plenty.
Pruning: Trim back the stems immediately after the flowering season ends.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Sandy or rocky well draining soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -20 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 15 years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is toxic if eaten and can cause digestive distress.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep children away from the seeds as they are toxic if swallowed.
Contact allergens: Handling the stems may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger hay fever symptoms in some people during the flowering season.
Edibility: All parts of this plant contain alkaloids that are toxic if ingested.

How to identify it

Bright yellow pea shaped flowers
Green angular stems
Small trifoliate leaves
Brown hairy seed pods

Height: 1 to 2m
Spread: 1 to 2m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: black, brown, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Broom Gall MiteCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
AphidsUncommon
CankerUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Twig BlightUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special winter care is needed as it is quite hardy. Simply prune back any dead or damaged branches in early spring.
In containers: It can grow in large containers, but its size makes it better suited for garden borders.

Seed

1. Scarify the hard seed coat with sandpaper.
2. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
3. Sow in pots and keep in a sunny spot.

Cuttings

1. Take semi ripe cuttings in late summer.
2. Dip the base in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a well draining potting mix.

Pair this plant with other drought tolerant species that appreciate lean, sandy soil conditions.

Grows well with

Lavender · They share similar requirements for full sun and well drained soil.
Rock Rose · Both plants thrive in dry, sunny conditions and provide a Mediterranean aesthetic.

Similar species

Spanish Broom · It shares a similar growth habit and yellow flowers but is more drought tolerant.

Science

Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Cytisus
Order: Fabales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Western and Central Europe
Conservation: It is considered a noxious weed in many regions and should not be planted where it can escape into the wild.

It thrives in poor, sandy soils and disturbed sites where it quickly colonizes open ground.

Value to wildlife: pollen source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental shrub, erosion control, nitrogen fixation

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is Scotch broom invasive?: Yes, it is considered a serious invasive species in many regions outside its native range.
Does it need pruning?: Light pruning after flowering helps maintain a compact shape and prevents the plant from becoming woody.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Cytisus comes from the Greek word for a clover like plant, while scoparius refers to the broom like appearance of its branches.

Good to know

The common name broom comes from the historical use of its flexible stems to make sweeping brushes.
It is a nitrogen fixing plant that improves soil quality by converting atmospheric nitrogen.
The flowers have a unique explosive pollination mechanism triggered by bees.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.