Barley Hordeum vulgare
Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is an annual grass in the Poaceae family, native to Domesticated in the Fertile Crescent (Near East). It grows 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 5 cm (2 in) apart.
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Barley at a glance
| Type | Annual grass |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 5 cm (2 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 8–10 weeks after planting, for 1–2 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 100 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: grain (malted for beer and whisky, pearled for soup) |
| Native to | Domesticated in the Fertile Crescent (Near East) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Barley toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; contains gluten.
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 Barley
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Barley
- How far apart should I plant Barley?
- About 5 cm (2 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Barley need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Barley need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Barley?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Barley flower?
- About 8–10 weeks after planting, for 1–2 weeks.
- Is Barley 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. Not poisonous; contains gluten.
- What grows well with Barley?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Barley. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- The most tolerant cereal of salty, alkaline and dry soils; long awns on the ears.
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
- Sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata
- Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium