Giant feather grass (golden oats) Celtica gigantea
Giant feather grass (golden oats) (Celtica gigantea) is an evergreen perennial grass in the Poaceae family, native to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. It grows 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) tall and 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -18 °C (0 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
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Giant feather grass (golden oats) at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -18 °C (0 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Spain, Portugal and Morocco |
| Common in gardens of | 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇫🇷 France, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Giant feather grass (golden oats) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
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 Giant feather grass (golden oats)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Giant feather grass (golden oats)
- How far apart should I plant Giant feather grass (golden oats)?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Giant feather grass (golden oats) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Giant feather grass (golden oats) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Giant feather grass (golden oats)?
- It tolerates about -18 °C (0 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Giant feather grass (golden oats) flower?
- From about June for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Giant feather grass (golden oats) 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.
- What grows well with Giant feather grass (golden oats)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Giant feather grass (golden oats). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A summer-dry plant: water it through its first summer, then rarely or never; it wants sun, lean soil and sharp drainage, and is killed by summer irrigation and heavy clay more often than by drought.
- A low tussock of evergreen leaves from which tall, see-through stems rise in early summer carrying shimmering oat-like heads of golden spikelets that catch the evening light. Long known as Stipa gigantea.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium