Bromus vulgaris Plant Care

Bromus vulgaris Shear

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Bromus vulgaris is a species of brome grass known by the common name Columbia brome.

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Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Bromus vulgaris?

Water Bromus vulgaris 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 Bromus vulgaris?

Bromus vulgaris (Bromus vulgaris) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Bromus genus. Bromus vulgaris is also known as California brome.

Bromus vulgaris displays a tall, grassy clumps growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Bromus vulgaris produces small, inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Bromus vulgaris?

Bromus vulgaris 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 Bromus vulgaris Need?

Bromus vulgaris thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bromus vulgaris Prefer?

Bromus vulgaris grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Bromus vulgaris prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bromus vulgaris?

Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Bromus vulgaris to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Bromus vulgaris?

Feed Bromus vulgaris 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 Bromus vulgaris?

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 Bromus vulgaris?

Bromus vulgaris can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to nodding brome plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Bromus vulgaris Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Bromus vulgaris, 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 Bromus vulgaris?

Bromus vulgaris 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 Bromus vulgaris Need?

Bromus vulgaris grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Bromus vulgaris as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Bromus vulgaris 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.

Bromus vulgaris 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 vulgaris Shear, family Poaceae (first published in Bull. U.S.D.A. (1895-1901) 23: 43 (1900)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bromus vulgaris, 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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