Broom Blue-flower Plant Care
Comesperma scoparium Drum.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Comesperma scoparium, commonly known as broom milkwort, is a small broom-like shrub of the family Polygalaceae. It usually grows to between 0.3 and 1.2 metres high and produces blue flowers between February and November in its native range.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Broom Blue-flower?
Plant Broom Blue-flower 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 Broom Blue-flower?
Broom Blue-flower (Comesperma scoparium) belongs to the Polygalaceae family within the Comesperma genus. Broom Blue-flower is also known as Broom Milkwort.
Broom Blue-flower displays a low, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Broom Blue-flower produces small, delicate purple flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Broom Blue-flower?
Water a young or newly planted Broom Blue-flower 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 Broom Blue-flower Need?
Broom Blue-flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Broom Blue-flower Prefer?
Comesperma scoparium tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Broom Blue-flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Broom Blue-flower?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Broom Blue-flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Broom Blue-flower?
Feed Broom Blue-flower 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 Broom Blue-flower?
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.
Broom Blue-flower 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 Broom Blue-flower?
Broom Blue-flower can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Broom Blue-flower?
Prune Broom Blue-flower 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 Broom Blue-flower in Winter?
Broom Blue-flower 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 Broom Blue-flower?
Broom Blue-flower can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue-flower beggarticks plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Broom Blue-flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Broom Blue-flower, 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 Broom Blue-flower?
Broom Blue-flower is susceptible to aphids, scale insects. 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 Broom Blue-flower Need?
Broom Blue-flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Broom Blue-flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Broom Blue-flower 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 Comesperma genus — compare its care with other Comesperma species on PlantoScan.
Comesperma is part of the Polygalaceae plant family — browse all Polygalaceae genera and species.
Broom Blue-flower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Comesperma Species
Other Comesperma species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Comesperma scoparium Drum., family Polygalaceae (first published in J. Bot. (Hooker) 2: 369 (1840)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Broom Blue-flower, 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.
