Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the top inch of soil to see if it is damp.
- Check the drainage holes to ensure they are not blocked.
- Observe the light levels in the current spot.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil stays wet for a long time and the base of the stems may feel soft. You might notice a musty smell coming from the pot.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the top 2 inches of soil dry out completely. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape. If the soil is waterlogged, repot the plant into fresh, well draining potting mix.
Insufficient Light
PossibleHow to tell: The plant looks stretched out and the foliage turns pale or drops off from the bottom up. Genista needs full sun to stay healthy.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. A south facing window is usually the best choice. If you cannot provide enough natural light, use a high output grow light.
Find out what's wrong with your broom
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Worry if the plant is dropping large amounts of green leaves suddenly. It is normal for a few older leaves to drop as the plant grows.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your Genista in a bright, sunny location and only water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Keep your broom healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Will my Genista grow leaves back?
- Yes, if you fix the underlying issue, the plant will eventually put out new growth. It may take a few weeks to recover.
- Does Genista go dormant?
- Genista is an evergreen shrub, so it should keep its foliage year round. If it is losing leaves, something is definitely wrong.
More problems with Broom
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.