Prickly Bossiaea Plant Care

Prickly Bossiaea (Bossiaea aquifolium) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Bossiaea genus. Prickly Bossiaea is native to Southwest Australia. Prickly Bossiaea is also known as Native Broom.

Prickly Bossiaea displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Prickly Bossiaea produces bright yellow pea-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Prickly Bossiaea 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.

Prickly Bossiaea thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Bossiaea aquifolium tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Prickly Bossiaea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Prickly Bossiaea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Prickly Bossiaea 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.

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 loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Prickly Bossiaea is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11a.

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.

Prickly Bossiaea can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Prickly Bossiaea 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.

Prickly Bossiaea is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Prickly Bossiaea can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine bossiaea plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Prickly Bossiaea is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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.

Prickly Bossiaea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11a. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Prickly Bossiaea is native to Southwest Australia. In cooler regions, grow Prickly Bossiaea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.