When does Meadow Barley bloom?

Meadow Barley typically flowers from May through July, producing narrow, bristly spikelets common to many cool season grasses.

How much water does Meadow Barley need?

Once established, Meadow Barley tolerates low water and dry periods well, though it also occurs naturally in moist meadows and along streambanks where soil moisture is higher.

What light conditions does Meadow Barley prefer?

Meadow Barley grows best in full sun but can tolerate some part sun conditions, especially in cooler or higher elevation sites.

Do bees interact with Meadow Barley?

Like most grasses, Meadow Barley relies mainly on wind for pollination, but bees are sometimes seen visiting the flowers to collect pollen.

Is Meadow Barley toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Meadow Barley as toxic to livestock.

Is Meadow Barley HOA-friendly?

Meadow Barley is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Meadow Barley

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Hordeum brachyantherum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Meadow Barley is a cool season bunchgrass that blooms from May through July in full sun, tolerating low water once established in meadows, prairies and streamside habitats across a range of climates.

Toxicity unknown

Meadow Barley (Hordeum brachyantherum) 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 Meadow Barley as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 19 more states

Pollinators

bees

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.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Northwestern Great Plains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Meadow barley is a compact native grass that forms neat clumps with slender seed heads appearing in late spring through summer. This drought-tolerant perennial maintains a tidy appearance and requires minimal care once established.

Growing Meadow Barley

Grow Meadow Barley in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Meadow Barley is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Wildlife value

The flowers provide nectar for bees during the blooming season. Seeds offer food for birds and small wildlife.

Common questions

When does Meadow Barley bloom?: Meadow Barley typically flowers from May through July, producing narrow, bristly spikelets common to many cool season grasses.
How much water does Meadow Barley need?: Once established, Meadow Barley tolerates low water and dry periods well, though it also occurs naturally in moist meadows and along streambanks where soil moisture is higher.
What light conditions does Meadow Barley prefer?: Meadow Barley grows best in full sun but can tolerate some part sun conditions, especially in cooler or higher elevation sites.
Do bees interact with Meadow Barley?: Like most grasses, Meadow Barley relies mainly on wind for pollination, but bees are sometimes seen visiting the flowers to collect pollen.
Is Meadow Barley toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Meadow Barley as toxic to livestock.
Is Meadow Barley HOA-friendly?: Meadow Barley is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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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