Broom reed (restio) Elegia capensis
Broom reed (restio) (Elegia capensis) is an evergreen perennial grass in the Restionaceae family, native to Western Cape (mountain streams and seeps). It grows 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) tall and 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
Plan Broom reed (restio) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Broom reed (restio) at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Restionaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Western Cape (mountain streams and seeps) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Broom reed (restio) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Broom reed (restio)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Broom reed (restio) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (3 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (15 plants)
Questions about Broom reed (restio)
- How far apart should I plant Broom reed (restio)?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft).
- Does Broom reed (restio) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Broom reed (restio) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Broom reed (restio)?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Broom reed (restio) flower?
- From about March for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Broom reed (restio) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Broom reed (restio)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Broom reed (restio). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden: gardens and collections, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Notes and assumptions
- Fynbos: acid, low-phosphorus, sandy soil; no manure or phosphate fertiliser; needs good air movement and dislikes humid summers.
- Restios are the "grasses" of fynbos; this one has bamboo-like culms with whorls of feathery green branchlets and papery brown bracts.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Blue fescue Festuca glauca
- Feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster' Calamagrostis x acutiflora