California Brome Plant Care
Bromus carinatus Hook. & Arn.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Bromus carinatus is a species of brome grass known by the common names California brome and mountain brome.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for California Brome?
Water California Brome every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the California Brome?
California Brome (Bromus carinatus) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Bromus genus. California Brome is also known as Mountain Brome.
California Brome displays a tall, grassy clumps growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. California Brome produces small, inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a California Brome?
Bromus carinatus requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the California Brome Need?
California Brome thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the California Brome Prefer?
Bromus carinatus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. California Brome prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a California Brome?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for California Brome to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a California Brome?
Feed California Brome every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a California Brome?
Divide clumps every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a California Brome?
California Brome can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to nodding brome plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the California Brome Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list California Brome, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the California Brome?
California Brome is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, cutworms. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the California Brome Need?
California Brome grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow California Brome as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
California Brome is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Bromus genus — compare its care with other Bromus species on PlantoScan.
Bromus is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
California Brome thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Bromus Species
Other Bromus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Bromus carinatus Hook. & Arn., family Poaceae (first published in Bot. Beechey Voy. : 403 (1840)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list California Brome, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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