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.

Little Barley

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Hordeum pusillum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Little Barley (Hordeum pusillum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

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.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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