Acmispon cytisoides Plant Care

Acmispon cytisoides (Benth.) Brouillet

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Acmispon cytisoides, synonyms Lotus benthamii and Syrmatium cytisoides, is a species of legume native to California. It is known by the common names Bentham's broom and Bentham's deerweed.

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Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Acmispon cytisoides?

Plant Acmispon cytisoides in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Acmispon cytisoides Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Acmispon cytisoides?

Acmispon cytisoides (Acmispon cytisoides) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Acmispon genus. Acmispon cytisoides is native to California.

Acmispon cytisoides displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Acmispon cytisoides produces small yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Acmispon cytisoides?

Water a young or newly planted Acmispon cytisoides every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Acmispon cytisoides Need?

Acmispon cytisoides thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Acmispon cytisoides Prefer?

Acmispon cytisoides tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Acmispon cytisoides prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Acmispon cytisoides?

Well-draining sandy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Acmispon cytisoides to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Acmispon cytisoides?

Feed Acmispon cytisoides every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Acmispon cytisoides?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Acmispon cytisoides is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Acmispon cytisoides?

Acmispon cytisoides can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Acmispon cytisoides?

Prune Acmispon cytisoides while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Acmispon cytisoides in Winter?

Acmispon cytisoides is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Acmispon cytisoides?

Acmispon cytisoides can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american bird's-foot trefoil plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Acmispon cytisoides Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Acmispon cytisoides, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Acmispon cytisoides?

Acmispon cytisoides is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Acmispon cytisoides Need?

Acmispon cytisoides grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Acmispon cytisoides is native to California. In cooler regions, grow Acmispon cytisoides as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Acmispon cytisoides is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Acmispon genus — compare its care with other Acmispon species on PlantoScan.

Acmispon is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.

Acmispon cytisoides thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Acmispon Species

Other Acmispon species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Acmispon cytisoides (Benth.) Brouillet, family Fabaceae (first published in J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 2: 389 (2008)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Acmispon cytisoides, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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