Woolly brome Plant Care
Bromus tomentellus Boiss.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This grass species is easily identified by its dense, velvety hairs covering its leaves, giving it a unique fuzzy appearance. Originating from North America, Bromus tomentellus is highly sought after by plant collectors for its striking foliage texture and ability to add a soft, luxurious touch to any garden or landscape.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Woolly brome?
Water Woolly brome every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Woolly brome Native To?
What Is the Woolly brome?
Woolly brome (Bromus tomentellus) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Bromus genus. Woolly brome is native to Crete, Turkey, the Caucusus, the Levant, Iraq, Iran, and Turkmenistan.
Woolly brome displays a tall, grassy clumps growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Woolly brome produces small, inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Woolly brome?
Bromus tomentellus requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Woolly brome Need?
Woolly brome thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Woolly brome Prefer?
Bromus tomentellus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Woolly brome prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Woolly brome?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Woolly brome to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Woolly brome?
Feed Woolly brome every 8 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 8 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 Woolly brome?
Divide clumps every 2-3 years in early spring. 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 Woolly brome?
Woolly brome can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to nodding brome plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Woolly brome Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Woolly brome, 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 Woolly brome?
Woolly brome 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 Woolly brome Need?
Woolly brome grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Woolly brome is native to Crete, Turkey, the Caucusus, the Levant, Iraq, Iran, and Turkmenistan.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Woolly brome 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 Bromus genus — compare its care with other Bromus species on PlantoScan.
Bromus is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Woolly brome thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Bromus Species
Other Bromus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Bromus tomentellus Boiss., family Poaceae (first published in Diagn. Pl. Orient. 7: 126 (1846)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Woolly brome, 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 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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