Retama
Retama sphaerocarpa
A tough desert broom that fixes nitrogen and shades bare Iberian steppe with almost no water — a slow but steady nurse plant for harsher, drier lines.
Retama in a syntropic line
Retama belongs in the Shrub layer as a Secondary nitrogen-fixing species. Support species, fruit, and nitrogen fixers under the canopy. Rough in-row spacing starts around 1.5 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Carob tree, Common sage. As a Secondary species it carries mid-term yield and structure while climax trees slowly claim the canopy.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Shrub
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Sandy, Rocky
- Soil pH range
- 6 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -10°C
- Min. rainfall
- 200 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Iberia
- Native to Portugal
- Yes
How to manage it
Deep-rooted nitrogen-fixing pioneer for arid, degraded ground; its sparse green stems give light shade for nurse-planting longer-lived species.
How to propagate
Scarify seed lightly and soak; or take hardwood cuttings in winter from dormant wood.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Seeds contain toxic alkaloids; dry stems are highly flammable; listed as invasive/noxious outside its native range (e.g. California, Australia).
Frequently asked questions about Retama
Is retama frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -10°C when dormant, with medium frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does retama need?
It does best on sandy, rocky ground, at pH about 6–8.5.
How much water does retama need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 200 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can retama handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — retama has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with retama?
Seeds contain toxic alkaloids; dry stems are highly flammable; listed as invasive/noxious outside its native range (e.g. California, Australia).
Design your line to see how your land fits Retama.
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