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Little Barley

Hordeum pusillum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Little Barley (Hordeum pusillum)
Photo: (c) botanygirl, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by botanygirl

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Little Barley as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

4"–16" H × 2"–8" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 41 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 432 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

North American DesertsSouthern RockiesArizona/New Mexico MountainsChihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsNorthwestern Glaciated PlainsNorthwestern Great PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal PlainMadrean ArchipelagoSonoran Basin and RangeSouthern California/Northern Baja Coast

Little barley is a small native annual grass that forms compact clumps reaching up to 16 inches tall. It produces delicate seed heads from late spring through summer and requires minimal water once established. This short-lived grass naturally reseeds itself in suitable conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Little Barley takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Annual lifecycle creates gaps when plants die back
  • Seed heads can appear weedy or unkempt
  • May be mistaken for unwanted weedy grasses

Wildlife value

The flowers and seed heads attract bees and beetles during the growing season. Small birds may also feed on the seeds in late summer.

Common questions

How much sun does Little Barley need?
Little Barley grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Little Barley bloom?
Little Barley blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Little Barley native?
Little Barley (Hordeum pusillum) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 41 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Little Barley toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Little Barley as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Little Barley attract?
Little Barley draws bees and beetles.
Is Little Barley HOA-friendly?
Little Barley takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Little Barley? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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