When most people think of broom (Genista), they picture a vibrant, sprawling garden shrub. But here’s a pro tip: these colorful beauties actually make fantastic container plants! They’re perfect for adding a pop of color to your balcony or patio. However, growing them in a pot is a little different than planting them in the ground. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your potted broom happy.
Planting Broom in Containers
First things first: size matters. Broom plants develop deep taproots that need plenty of legroom, so you’ll want to choose a nice, deep pot. Drainage is also a big deal—broom hates “wet feet.” Make sure your container has a drainage hole at the bottom. I always recommend covering the hole with a few shards of broken pottery (terracotta) before adding soil; this keeps the dirt from clogging the hole so water can flow freely.
As for the soil, broom isn’t too picky—it actually prefers “lean” soil. A mix of standard potting soil and sand works beautifully. Fill your pot about one-third of the way with your soil mix, set the plant in, and fill in the rest. Give the soil a firm pat down and a moderate drink of water to help it settle in.
Buying Broom for Your Pots
When you’re at the garden center, you’ll usually see two options: bare-root plants or those already established in nursery pots. My advice? Always go for the potted version. Broom roots are notoriously sensitive, and buying them in a pot ensures the root system stays protected and intact until you’re ready to transplant.
Caring for Your Potted Broom
Keep in mind that a potted broom is a bit more high-maintenance than its cousins in the ground. Since it can’t send roots deep into the earth to find moisture, you’ll need to stay on top of watering. It also appreciates a little fertilizer now and then, but don’t go overboard! Broom is sensitive to over-fertilizing, which can actually mess with its blooming cycle.
When it comes to wintering your container plant, you’ve got to be careful. The root ball is much more exposed to the cold in a pot than it would be in the garden. To keep it from freezing, wrap the pot in an old blanket or burlap for warmth. And don’t forget: even in winter, you need to make sure the roots don’t dry out completely.
Potted Broom: Quick Checklist
- Choose a large, deep pot for those long roots.
- Use lean soil (a mix of potting soil and sand is perfect).
- Ensure excellent drainage.
- Buy potted plants rather than bare-root ones.
- Remember: container plants need more frequent watering than garden plants.
- Fertilize sparingly.
- Provide extra insulation/protection during the winter months.
