Plant Details

Cytisus scoparius

Broom

Back

Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Cytisus scoparius.

Use this plant

Log in to add this plant to your recipes.

Log in

Common names

48 names · 33 languages
EnglishYour language
+4 more namesShow fewer names
  • Green Broom[1]
  • Scotch Broom[1]
  • Scots broom[1]
  • Scottish broom[1]
Other languages (32)
Dutch
  • Bezembrem
  • Brem[1]
  • Gewone brem[1]
French
  • Genêt à balai[1]
  • Genêt à balais
Afrikaans
  • Skotse besem[1]
  • Skotse Brem[1]
Arabic
  • لزان المكنسي[1]
Asturian
Belarusian
  • Жарновец мяцёльчаты, ці Мятліца[1]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • janovec metlatý[1]
  • čilimník metlatý[1]
Danish
Estonian
  • harilik luudpõõsas[1]
Finnish
  • jänönvihma[1]
Galician
German
  • Gemeiner Besenginster[1]
Hungarian
  • közönséges seprőzanót[1]
  • seprűzanót[1]
Irish
  • Giolcach shléibhe[1]
Italian
  • Ginestra dei carbonai[1]
Japanese
  • エニシダ[1]
Korean
  • 양골담초[1]
Lithuanian
  • Šluotinis raipstas[1]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Żarnowiec miotlasty[1]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Жарновец метельчатый[1]
  • Ракитник метельчатый[1]
Slovak
  • prútnatec metlovitý[1]
Slovenian
  • navadna metla[1]
Spanish
  • escoba rubia[1]
Swedish
Turkish
  • Süpürge Otu[1]
Ukrainian
  • Жарновець віниковий (Рокитник віниковий)[1]
Welsh
  • Banadl gorweddol[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Cytisus scoparius — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Scotch Broom — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Scots broom — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • common broom — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • broom — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Genêt à balai — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Gewone brem — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Gemeiner Besenginster — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • English broom — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • gódua — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • janovec metlatý — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Gyvel — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • escoba rubia — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Giesta — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Piornal — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • gyvel — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Ginestra dei carbonai — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Šluotinis raipstas — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • jänönvihma — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Żarnowiec miotlasty — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Жарновец метельчатый — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Ракитник метельчатый — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • xiniesta — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Scottish broom — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • エニシダ — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • harris — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • harilik luudpõõsas — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • 金雀花 — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • 金雀花 — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Xesta — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Süpürge Otu — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Brem — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Жарновец мяцёльчаты, ці Мятліца — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Жарновець віниковий (Рокитник віниковий) — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Skotse Brem — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Skotse besem — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Green Broom — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • seprűzanót — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • لزان المكنسي — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • közönséges seprőzanót — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Giolcach shléibhe — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • čilimník metlatý — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • 金雀儿 — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • 양골담초 — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Banadl gorweddol — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • prútnatec metlovitý — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • navadna metla — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.

General information

Scientific name: Cytisus scoparius
Accepted name (Kew): Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Fabaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Cytisus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Broom
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 1.22–2.44 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 1.22–2.44 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Fast
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Arching, Erect, Open

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Flowers, Coffee, Condiment
Edibility rating:
(1)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Basketry, Dye, Essential oil, Fibre, Paper, Repellent, Wood, Bee forage, Carbon farming, Nitrogen fixer, Fragrant

Description

The flower buds of the plant are pickled and serve as an alternative to capers. They can also be added to salads. However, be aware of the toxicity as explained above. The soft green tips of the plant are used as hops to give beer a bitter taste and make it more intoxicating. The roasted seeds can serve as a coffee substitute.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/04
Harvest ends: 30/06

Crown

Crown shape: Rounded
Sources [3]
Crown density: Dense crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1368736; name ID 2754521; Cytisus Desf.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1368830; name ID 2754907; Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Cytisus scoparius

    Taxonomic data from WCVP-Fabaceae, version 2026, v.7, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 39717, ID 33S3C: Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Cytisus scoparius — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Crown shapeHeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Crown shape: Description: crown architecture
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .