Sweet Broom
Scoparia dulcis
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
Pl. 2CAD — Scoparia dulcis
Scoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcisScoparia dulcis
IOverview
Overview
Sweet Broom (Scoparia dulcis) is a versatile plant found in various regions across Central and South America, the Caribbean, and parts of North America including Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Alabama. This member of the Scrophulariaceae family thrives in moist conditions with light to medium soil types and prefers full sun exposure. Known for its edible properties, Sweet Broom is often cultivated for its seeds, which can be consumed. Its distinctive features include a height of up to 0.8 meters and a subshrub or herbaceous habit, making it an interesting addition to gardens and landscapes.
Quick answers
What is Sweet Broom?
Sweet Broom (Scoparia dulcis) is a versatile plant found in various regions across Central and South America, the Caribbean, and parts of North America including Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Alabama.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Sweet Broom thrives in full sun and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It can grow as an annual or perennial and reaches a height of 0.8 meters. Hardy in temperate regions from zones 8 to 12, it is adaptable but performs best with regular watering. Propagate through seeds for new plants.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
8-12
Life cycle
Annual, Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb, Subshrub
Mature size
0.8 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Sweet Broom for the first time
8steps
Sweet Broom is a forgiving plant for beginners, making it an excellent choice for your first gardening project.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, a small trowel, and a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost when temperatures are consistently above 10°C (50°F).
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with well-draining soil that is light, medium, or heavy. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the ground or start them indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outside. Transplant seedlings when they are about 2 inches tall.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases, treating if necessary.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun exposure and regular watering, especially during dry spells. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced fertilizer.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune after flowering to encourage new growth and maintain shape. Remove any dead or diseased parts as needed.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy shade, neglecting regular pruning, using too much fertilizer, and not protecting from pests.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Seed
Edible uses: Drink
Other uses:CraftingPest control
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Asia1 region
native (1)Georgia
Americas13 regions
native (13)BahamasBelizeBoliviaColombiaCosta RicaCubaEcuadorEl SalvadorFrench GuianaGuatemalaGuyanaHaitiJamaica
Broader regions
native:Argentina Northwest, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Gulf, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Cayman Is., Aruba, Argentina Northeast, Florida, Galápagos, Leeward Is., Louisiana, Brazil North, Mexico Northwest
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 2cadc99e-5ace-4ffb-ac80-fb4efc6ef534
Decision aid
Choosing between Sweet Broom and something else?
Continue reading
❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.