Tufted barley Plant Care
Hordeum comosum J.Presl
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hordeum comosum is a species of wild barley in the family Poaceae. It is native to Chile and western and southern Argentina, and has been introduced to the Falkland Islands.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Tufted barley?
Water Tufted barley every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Tufted barley?
Tufted barley (Hordeum comosum) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Hordeum genus. Tufted barley is native to Chile and western and southern Argentina, and has been introduced to the Falkland Islands. Tufted barley is also known as Comose barley.
Tufted barley displays a tall, grassy growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Tufted barley produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tufted barley?
Hordeum comosum requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Tufted barley Need?
Tufted barley thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tufted barley Prefer?
Hordeum comosum grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Tufted barley prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tufted barley?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Tufted barley to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tufted barley?
Feed Tufted barley every 6 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 6 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 Tufted barley?
Rarely needs repotting, best to grow in the ground. 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 Tufted barley?
Tufted barley can be propagated through seeds.
Is the Tufted barley Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tufted barley, 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 Tufted barley?
Tufted barley 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 Tufted barley Need?
Tufted barley grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Tufted barley is native to Chile and western and southern Argentina, and has been introduced to the Falkland Islands. In cooler regions, grow Tufted barley as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Tufted barley 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 Hordeum genus — compare its care with other Hordeum species on PlantoScan.
Hordeum is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Tufted barley thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hordeum comosum J.Presl, family Poaceae (first published in Reliq. Haenk. 1: 327 (1830)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tufted barley, 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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