Oats Avena sativa
Oats (Avena sativa) is an annual grass in the Poaceae family, native to Domesticated in Europe from a weed of wheat and barley fields. It grows 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) tall and 10–25 cm (4–10 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 5 cm (2 in) apart.
Plan Oats in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Oats at a glance
| Type | Annual grass |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 10–25 cm (4–10 in) |
| Spacing | 5 cm (2 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–11 weeks after planting, for 1–2 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 110 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: grain (oatmeal) |
| Native to | Domesticated in Europe from a weed of wheat and barley fields |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇷 Argentina |
Is 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 Oats
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Oats
- How far apart should I plant Oats?
- About 5 cm (2 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–25 cm (4–10 in).
- Does Oats need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Oats need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Oats?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Oats flower?
- About 9–11 weeks after planting, for 1–2 weeks.
- Is 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 Oats?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Oats. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- A cool-climate cereal: loose nodding panicles. Also sown as a winter cover crop.
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