Barley Plant Care
Hordeum vulgare L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Barley, a member of the grass family, is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally. One of the first cultivated grains, it was domesticated in the Fertile Crescent around 9000 BC, giving it nonshattering spikelets and making it much easier to harvest.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Barley?
Water 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 Barley?
Barley (Hordeum vulgare) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Hordeum genus. Barley is also known as Common Barley, Cereal Barley.
Barley displays a tall, grassy growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Barley produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Barley?
Hordeum vulgare 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 Barley Need?
Barley thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Barley Prefer?
Hordeum vulgare grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Barley prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Barley?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Barley to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Barley?
Feed 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 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 Barley?
Barley can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to meadow barley plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Barley Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list 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 Barley?
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 Barley Need?
Barley grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Barley as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
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.
Barley thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Hordeum Species
Other Hordeum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hordeum vulgare L., family Poaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 84 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list 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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