Bearded Wheat Grass Plant Care
Elymus caninus L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Elymus caninus, the bearded couch or bearded wheatgrass, is a species of flowering plant in the family Poaceae that is native to Europe including the UK but can be found introduced in the US states of Oregon and Washington. E.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Bearded Wheat Grass?
Water Bearded Wheat Grass every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity.
Where Is the Bearded Wheat Grass Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Bearded Wheat Grass?
Bearded Wheat Grass (Elymus caninus) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Elymus genus. Bearded Wheat Grass is native to Europe including the UK. Bearded Wheat Grass is also known as Drooping Wheat Grass.
Bearded Wheat Grass displays a tall, upright grass growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Bearded Wheat Grass produces inflorescence with spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bearded Wheat Grass?
Elymus caninus 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 Bearded Wheat Grass Need?
Bearded Wheat Grass thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bearded Wheat Grass Prefer?
Elymus caninus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Bearded Wheat Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bearded Wheat Grass?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Bearded Wheat Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Bearded Wheat Grass?
Divide and replant every 2-3 years. 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 Bearded Wheat Grass?
Bearded Wheat Grass can be propagated through division, seed sowing. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alaska wild rye plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Bearded Wheat Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bearded Wheat Grass, 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 Bearded Wheat Grass?
Bearded Wheat Grass 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 Bearded Wheat Grass Need?
Bearded Wheat Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Bearded Wheat Grass is native to Europe including the UK. In cooler regions, grow Bearded Wheat Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Bearded Wheat Grass 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 Elymus genus — compare its care with other Elymus species on PlantoScan.
Elymus is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Bearded Wheat Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Elymus Species
Other Elymus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Elymus caninus L., family Poaceae (first published in Fl. Suec. , ed. 2: 39 (1755)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bearded Wheat Grass, 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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