
Photo: Frank VincentzCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Texas Broomweed Plant Care
Gutierrezia texana (DC.) Torr. & A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Gutierrezia texana is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name Texas snakeweed. It is native to the south-central United States (New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana) and northern Mexico as far south as Guanajuato and Hidalgo.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Texas Broomweed?
Plant Texas Broomweed in full sun (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 Texas Broomweed Native To?
What Is the Texas Broomweed?
Texas Broomweed (Gutierrezia texana) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Gutierrezia genus. Texas Broomweed is native to the south-central United States and northern Mexico as far south as Guanajuato and Hidalgo. Texas Broomweed is also known as Texas Gutierrezia, Gutierrezia texana.
Texas Broomweed displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Texas Broomweed produces small yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Texas Broomweed?
Water a young or newly planted Texas Broomweed 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 Texas Broomweed Need?
Texas Broomweed thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Texas Broomweed Prefer?
Gutierrezia texana tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Texas Broomweed prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Texas Broomweed?
Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Texas Broomweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Texas Broomweed?
Feed Texas Broomweed 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 Texas Broomweed?
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Texas Broomweed 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 Texas Broomweed?
Texas Broomweed can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 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 Texas Broomweed?
Prune Texas Broomweed 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 Texas Broomweed in Winter?
Texas Broomweed 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 Texas Broomweed?
Texas Broomweed can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to matchweed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Texas Broomweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Texas Broomweed, 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 Texas Broomweed?
Texas Broomweed is susceptible to aphids, 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 Texas Broomweed Need?
Texas Broomweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Texas Broomweed is native to the south-central United States and northern Mexico as far south as Guanajuato and Hidalgo. In cooler regions, grow Texas Broomweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Texas Broomweed 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 Gutierrezia genus (family Asteraceae) — search all Gutierrezia species in the plant lookup.
Texas Broomweed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Gutierrezia Species
Other Gutierrezia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Gutierrezia texana (DC.) Torr. & A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Fl. N. Amer. (Torr. & A. Gray) 2(2): 194. 1842 [Apr 1842]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Texas Broomweed, 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.
- Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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.
