Easter broom Genista × spachiana

Water

Easter Basket Vine (Genista × spachiana) prefers moderate watering, and it's important to allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Generally, watering once a week with approximately 16 ounces of water should suffice, but this may vary depending on the humidity and temperature of your environment. During the active growing season in spring and summer, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. In the winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering to every other week, ensuring the soil does not become completely dry.

Light

Easter Basket Vine thrives in bright, indirect light, making it a suitable plant for east or west-facing windows where it can receive some morning or late afternoon sun. However, it should be protected from harsh direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day, as this can scorch the foliage. The ideal spot for this plant would be one that receives bright, diffused light throughout the day.

Temperature

Easter Basket Vine prefers temperatures between 50°F and 75°F. The plant can tolerate a minimum temperature of around 40°F and a maximum of 80°F. It is not frost-tolerant, so if grown outdoors, it should be brought inside or protected when low temperatures are expected. Ideally, maintain average room temperatures to keep your plant healthy and growing well.

Pruning

Pruning Easter Basket Vine encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming leggy. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Cut back up to one-third of the older stems to maintain shape and promote new shoots. The best time for pruning is after the blooming period has finished but before the active growing season begins.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Easter broom requires well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A mix composed of equal parts loam, sand, and peat is ideal, ensuring proper drainage and aeration for the root system. To foster robust growth, you may also incorporate a slow-release fertilizer into the mix at the time of planting or repotting.

Repotting

Easter broom should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current pot. Choose a slightly larger pot to allow for growth and refresh the soil mix to provide new nutrients.

Humidity & Misting

Easter broom thrives best in moderate humidity levels, typically between 40% to 60%. Avoid environments that are too dry or excessively humid to maintain healthy growth.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and avoid overwatering.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun to partial shade and protect from strong winds.

• Hardiness zone

  7-10 USDA

Life cycle

Genista × spachiana, commonly known as Easter broom or Wood's broom, begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in favorable conditions, typically requiring well-draining soil and full sun. After germination, the seedling emerges and establishes itself, growing into a small shrub with slightly angled branches. It then enters a vegetative stage, during which it produces compound leaves and elongates its stems. Once mature, often within a few years, the plant blooms in late spring to early summer, producing showy yellow flowers attractive to pollinators. Following pollination, the plant sets seed in pods that eventually dry and release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. In its final life stage, if environmental conditions deteriorate or the plant reaches the end of its lifespan, it will undergo senescence and die, returning nutrients to the soil and potentially giving rise to new plants from fallen seeds.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Propogation: The Easter broom, Genista × spachiana, is often propagated through semi-hardwood stem cuttings. The preferred time for taking cuttings is in late summer or early fall. To propagate Easter broom, a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long should be selected from a healthy, mature plant. The lower leaves should be removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting should then be planted in a well-draining soil mix, watered gently, and covered with a plastic bag or placed in a covered propagation tray to maintain humidity. The tray should be kept in a warm place with indirect light until the cutting has rooted, which usually takes several weeks. Once rooted, the plant can be transferred to a larger pot or its final location.