Durum wheat Plant Care
Triticum durum Desf.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Durum, also called pasta wheat or macaroni wheat, is a tetraploid species of wheat. It is the second-most cultivated species of wheat after common wheat, although it represents only 5 to 8% of global wheat production.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun
60–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Durum wheat?
Water Durum wheat every 3–7 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 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Durum wheat?
Durum wheat (Triticum durum) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Triticum genus. Durum wheat is also known as Macaroni wheat.
Durum wheat displays a tall, grassy growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Durum wheat produces small inconspicuous flowers in terminal spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Durum wheat?
Triticum durum requires watering every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Durum wheat Need?
Durum wheat thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Durum wheat Prefer?
Triticum durum grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Durum wheat prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Durum wheat?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Durum wheat to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Durum wheat?
Feed Durum wheat every 4 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 4 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 Durum wheat?
Not typically grown in pots. 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 Durum wheat?
Durum wheat can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bread wheat plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Durum wheat Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Durum wheat, 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 Durum wheat?
Durum wheat is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, armyworms. 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 Durum wheat Need?
Durum wheat grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Durum wheat as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Durum wheat 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 Triticum genus — compare its care with other Triticum species on PlantoScan.
Triticum is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Durum wheat thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Triticum Species
Other Triticum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Triticum durum Desf., family Poaceae (first published in Fl. Atlant. 1: 114. 1798) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Durum wheat, 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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