Wheat (bread wheat) Triticum aestivum
Wheat (bread wheat) (Triticum aestivum) is an annual grass in the Poaceae family, native to Domesticated in the Fertile Crescent (Near East). It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Space plants about 5 cm (2 in) apart.
Plan Wheat (bread wheat) in your garden →
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Wheat (bread wheat) at a glance
| Type | Annual grass |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 5 cm (2 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -20 °C (-4 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–11 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 Fertile Crescent (Near East) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇳 India, 🇨🇳 China, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Wheat (bread wheat) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; the grain contains gluten, which people with coeliac disease must avoid.
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 Wheat (bread wheat)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Wheat (bread wheat)
- How far apart should I plant Wheat (bread wheat)?
- About 5 cm (2 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Wheat (bread wheat) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wheat (bread wheat) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Wheat (bread wheat)?
- It tolerates about -20 °C (-4 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Wheat (bread wheat) flower?
- About 9–11 weeks after planting, for 1–2 weeks.
- Is Wheat (bread wheat) 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; the grain contains gluten, which people with coeliac disease must avoid.
- What grows well with Wheat (bread wheat)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wheat (bread wheat). 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
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- Spring wheat values; winter wheat is sown in autumn and needs winter cold (vernalisation) before it heads.
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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- Sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata
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- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium