Canary Island Broom Plant Care
Adenocarpus foliolosus (Aiton) DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Adenocarpus foliolosus, known locally as codeso and commonly known as Canary Island flatpod is a shrubby species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae, that is endemic to Canary Islands where it can be found in Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro, Gran Canaria and La Palma. It has yellow flowers, a narrow, oblong legume with sparse glands, compound leaves and short petioles 1–3 millimetres (0.039–0.118 in) long.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Canary Island Broom?
Plant Canary Island Broom in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Canary Island Broom?
Canary Island Broom (Adenocarpus foliolosus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Adenocarpus genus. Canary Island Broom is native to Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro, Gran Canaria and La Palma.
Canary Island Broom displays an upright shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Canary Island Broom produces yellow pea-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Canary Island Broom?
Water a young or newly planted Canary Island Broom every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Canary Island Broom Need?
Canary Island Broom thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Canary Island Broom Prefer?
Adenocarpus foliolosus tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Canary Island Broom prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Canary Island Broom?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Canary Island Broom to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Canary Island Broom?
Feed Canary Island Broom 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 Canary Island Broom?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Canary Island Broom 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 Canary Island Broom?
Canary Island Broom can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 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 Canary Island Broom?
Prune Canary Island Broom 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 Canary Island Broom in Winter?
Canary Island Broom 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 Canary Island Broom?
Canary Island Broom can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sticky adenocarpus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Canary Island Broom Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Canary Island Broom, 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 Canary Island Broom?
Canary Island Broom is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers. 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 Canary Island Broom Need?
Canary Island Broom grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Canary Island Broom is native to Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro, Gran Canaria and La Palma. In cooler regions, grow Canary Island Broom as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Canary Island Broom 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 Adenocarpus genus — compare its care with other Adenocarpus species on PlantoScan.
Adenocarpus is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Canary Island Broom thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Adenocarpus foliolosus (Aiton) DC., family Fabaceae (first published in Fl. Franç. , ed. 3, 5: 549 (1815)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Canary Island Broom, 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.
