Rice (Asian rice) Oryza sativa
Rice (Asian rice) (Oryza sativa) is an annual grass in the Poaceae family, native to Domesticated in the Yangtze valley of China (African rice, O. glaberrima, separately in West Africa). It grows 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
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Rice (Asian rice) at a glance
| Type | Annual grass |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 11–14 weeks after planting, for 1–2 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 120 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: grain |
| Native to | Domesticated in the Yangtze valley of China (African rice, O. glaberrima, separately in West Africa) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Rice (Asian rice) 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 Rice (Asian rice)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Rice (Asian rice)
- How far apart should I plant Rice (Asian rice)?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Rice (Asian rice) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rice (Asian rice) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Rice (Asian rice)?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Rice (Asian rice) flower?
- About 11–14 weeks after planting, for 1–2 weeks.
- Is Rice (Asian rice) 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 Rice (Asian rice)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rice (Asian rice). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Rice Knowledge Bank, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Lowland paddy rice: grown in flooded fields, so waterlogging is a benefit, not a stress. Upland rice is grown like other cereals.
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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