Photo: Dustin SniderCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Smooth Brome Plant Care
Bromus inermis Leyss.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Native to Europe and Asia, this plant is known for its slender, lance-shaped leaves with a distinctive bluish-green hue. Plant collectors are drawn to Bromus inermis for its ability to thrive in a variety of soil types and resistance to drought, making it a versatile and low-maintenance addition to any garden.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Smooth Brome?
Water Smooth 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.
Where Is the Smooth Brome Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
What Is the Smooth Brome?
Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Bromus genus. Smooth Brome is native to Europe and considered invasive in North America. Smooth Brome is also known as Awnless Brome, Hungarian Brome, Field Brome.
Smooth Brome displays a tall, grassy clumps growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Smooth Brome produces small, inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Smooth Brome?
Bromus inermis 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 Smooth Brome Need?
Smooth Brome thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Smooth Brome Prefer?
Bromus inermis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Smooth Brome prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Smooth Brome?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Smooth Brome to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Smooth Brome?
Feed Smooth 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 Smooth 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 Smooth Brome?
Smooth Brome can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to nodding brome plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Smooth Brome Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Smooth 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 Smooth Brome?
Smooth 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 Smooth Brome Need?
Smooth Brome grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Smooth Brome is native to Europe and considered invasive in North America.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Smooth 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.
Smooth 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 inermis Leyss., family Poaceae (first published in Flora Halensis 1761) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Smooth 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.
- Photo: Dustin Snider, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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