Photo: arthur_haendlerCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Meadow Barley Plant Care
Hordeum secalinum Schreb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's distinctive feature is its long and slender leaves with a slight blue-green hue. Originally from Europe, Hordeum secalinum is highly desired by plant collectors for its unique foliage that adds a touch of elegance to any garden or indoor space.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Meadow Barley?
Water Meadow 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.
Where Is the Meadow Barley Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- The Netherlands
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Meadow Barley?
Meadow Barley (Hordeum secalinum) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Hordeum genus. Meadow Barley is native to Europe, including the Madeiras, Crimea and the north Caucasus, northwest Africa, and the Levant. Meadow Barley is also known as Wayfield Barley.
Meadow Barley displays a tall, grassy growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Meadow Barley produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Meadow Barley?
Hordeum secalinum 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 Meadow Barley Need?
Meadow Barley thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Meadow Barley Prefer?
Hordeum secalinum grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Meadow Barley prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Meadow Barley?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Meadow Barley to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Meadow Barley?
Feed Meadow 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 Meadow 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 Meadow Barley?
Meadow Barley can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hordeum aegiceras plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Meadow Barley Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Meadow 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 Meadow Barley?
Meadow 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 Meadow Barley Need?
Meadow Barley grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Meadow Barley is native to Europe, including the Madeiras, Crimea and the north Caucasus, northwest Africa, and the Levant.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Meadow 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.
Meadow 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 secalinum Schreb., family Poaceae (first published in Spic. Fl. Lips. : 148 (1771)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Meadow 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.
- Photo: arthur_haendler, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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