How much sun does California broom need?

California broom grows best in full sun conditions.

When does California broom bloom?

California broom blooms in March, April, May, and June.

Where is California broom native?

California broom (Lotus scoparius) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does California broom host?

California broom is a larval host plant for acmon blue and dogface butterfly.

California broom

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lotus scoparius

Last reviewed: October 2026

California broom (Lotus scoparius) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in March, April, May, and June. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown

California broom (Lotus scoparius) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

18"–48" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun

Native to

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A fast-growing, broom-like shrub called deerweed, with slender green stems and small trifoliate leaves. Yellow pea-like flowers age to orange and red, giving a multicolored effect through spring bloom.

Growing California broom

Grow California broom in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 18 to 48 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for acmon blue, dogface butterfly.

A key larval host plant for acmon blue and dogface butterflies, and often one of the first species to recolonize burned chaparral.

Common questions

How much sun does California broom need?: California broom grows best in full sun conditions.
When does California broom bloom?: California broom blooms in March, April, May, and June.
Where is California broom native?: California broom (Lotus scoparius) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does California broom host?: California broom is a larval host plant for acmon blue and dogface butterfly.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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