African Wild Rice Plant Care
Oryza barthii A.Chev.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Oryza barthii, also called Barth's rice, wild rice, or African wild rice, is a grass in the rice genus Oryza. It is an annual, erect to semierect grass.
Every 1–3 days
Full sun
70–90°F
70–90%
At a glance
How do you care for African Wild Rice?
Water African Wild Rice every 1–3 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 70–90°F (21–32°C) and 70–90% humidity.
What Is the African Wild Rice?
African Wild Rice (Oryza barthii) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Oryza genus.
African Wild Rice displays a tall, grassy growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately . African Wild Rice produces inconspicuous flowers in panicles.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a African Wild Rice?
Oryza barthii requires watering every 1–3 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 1–3 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the African Wild Rice Need?
African Wild Rice thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the African Wild Rice Prefer?
Oryza barthii grows best at temperatures of 70–90°F. African Wild Rice prefers humidity levels of 70–90%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
70–90°F
Humidity
70–90%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a African Wild Rice?
Rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for African Wild Rice to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a African Wild Rice?
Not typically potted, grown in flooded fields. 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 African Wild Rice?
African Wild Rice can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to australian rice plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the African Wild Rice Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list African Wild Rice, 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 African Wild Rice?
African Wild Rice is susceptible to rice blast, brown spot, rice bugs. 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 African Wild Rice Need?
African Wild Rice grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow African Wild Rice as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
African Wild Rice 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 Oryza genus — compare its care with other Oryza species on PlantoScan.
Oryza is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
African Wild Rice thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Oryza Species
Other Oryza species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Oryza barthii A.Chev., family Poaceae (first published in Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 16: 405 (1910)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list African Wild Rice, 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 13b, 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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