Desert Broom Plant Care

Desert Broom (Baccharis wrightii) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Baccharis genus. Desert Broom is native to northern Mexico and the southwestern and south-central United States. Desert Broom is also known as Baccharis.

Desert Broom displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Desert Broom produces small white or greenish flowers in dense clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

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

Desert Broom thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Baccharis wrightii tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Desert Broom prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Desert Broom to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Desert Broom every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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.

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

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

Desert Broom is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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

Desert Broom can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 tree spacing calculator.

Prune Desert 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 tree in one year.

Desert 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.

Desert Broom can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to manzanita baccharis plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Desert Broom is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

Desert Broom grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Desert Broom is native to northern Mexico and the southwestern and south-central United States. In cooler regions, grow Desert Broom as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.