Also known as False Oat · False Oat Grass · False Oatgrass
Bulbous Oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius) is a perennial grass known for its attractive, arching green foliage and feathery seed heads, suitable for naturalistic plantings
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun to Partial Shade
75% intensity
Prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, but tolerates some shade.
Moderate
50% intensity
Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; reduce in winter.
Well-drained, Loam, Clay
50% intensity
Hardy
25% intensity
Tolerates a wide range of temperatures, suitable for USDA zones 4-9.
Low
25% intensity
Generally not required; a light spring feed is sufficient if soil is poor.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water moderately during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering significantly in fall and winter, especially in cooler climates, to prevent root rot.
Ensure good drainage to avoid waterlogged conditions, which this grass dislikes.
Cut back the foliage to about 10-15 cm from the ground in late fall or early spring before new growth emerges. This tidies up the plant for the winter and encourages vigorous new shoots.
Remove any dead or damaged leaves as needed throughout the season.
Propagate by division of established clumps in early spring or fall. Carefully dig up the clump, separate it into smaller sections with at least a few shoots and roots, and replant immediately.
Sow fresh seeds in fall or early spring in a well-drained medium.
As a perennial grass that forms clumps, repotting is primarily for division rather than container size. If grown in a pot, repot every 2-3 years in early spring.
This process involves dividing the root ball and replanting in fresh, well-draining potting mix.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Bulbous Oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Poales |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Genus | Arrhenatherum |
| Species | Arrhenatherum elatius |
Similar in genus Arrhenatherum
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
