Two terra cotta pots with Variegated Cat Grass Barley on a white background.
Fluffy the cat gets lost within a forest of potted Variegated Cat Grass Barley.
A fluffy cat licks his lips by the Variegated Cat Grass Barley.
Micro view close-up of Variegated Cat Grass Barley foliage.
A fluffy cat surrounded by Variegated Cat Grass Barley.
Two terra cotta pots with Variegated Cat Grass Barley on a white background.
Fluffy the cat gets lost within a forest of potted Variegated Cat Grass Barley.
A fluffy cat licks his lips by the Variegated Cat Grass Barley.
Micro view close-up of Variegated Cat Grass Barley foliage.
A fluffy cat surrounded by Variegated Cat Grass Barley.

Barley Seeds,
Variegated Cat Grass

4.916 ReviewsSKU: #GS100Min. seed count: 250
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Description

30 days. Cats love a number of different grasses when they’re in the mood for such things, but our barley is variegated in green and white stripes so it’s a treat for the eye as well! A dish of grass for your feline companion can save a lot of wear and tear on your houseplants, and is much healthier for your cat as well.

Growing Tips: In small shallow pot or dish, sprinkle seed over soil surface and cover with soil. Keep moist, hold at room temperature in good light. “Mow” periodically with scissors.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Hordeum vulgare
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
5–12
Days to Maturity
30
Planting Depth
¼ in.
Plant Spacing
½–2 in.
Ideal Temperature
70°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

When to Grow

Grown in a dish indoors: sprinkle seed over the soil surface of a small, shallow pot or dish, cover with soil, keep it moist, and hold it at room temperature in good light. Cover the seed about ¼ in. deep, spacing it ½–2 in. apart, and the dish is ready in about 30 days. Barley is also a frost-hardy, cool-season annual, so you can sow it outdoors in full sun in spring or fall if you would rather grow a patch than a potful.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Seeds will germinate in temperatures as low as 37 F.
  • Sow seeds at a depth of 1-1 ½ inches.
  • Hand broadcast or use a seeder to seed 4 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet, or about 20-25 seeds per square foot if growing in smaller spaces.

How to Grow

  • Growing barley is easy. Provide well-drained soil with average fertility.
  • Plants prefer full sun and even moisture during germination and plant establishment; however, they do become more drought tolerant as the plants mature.
  • Seedheads should mature in about 60-90 days.
  • As a cover crop, barley works exceptionally well when mixed with legumes. This companionship will help to scavenge nutrients, fix nitrogen and add lots of organic matter to the soil.
  • Harvesting barley can be done with a scythe or by hand, using a sharp knife. Allow the plants to turn yellow and dry before harvesting. Be sure to harvest before the barley gets a heavy rain, as this can compromise the grains. Watch the weather and harvest before any impending rain.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Barley has no particular pest or disease issues.

How to Save Seeds

  • Seed saving on this self-pollinating annual grain is quite easy. An isolation distance of just 10-20 feet between different varieties will ensure they are not cross pollinated.
  • Save seed from a number of different plants within the stand to ensure genetic strength.
  • Harvest seeds when dry and hard.
  • Store in a cool, dark, dry place.

FAQ

How long until Variegated Cat Grass is ready to cut?

About 30 days. Keep the dish moist, at room temperature and in good light; seedlings emerge in roughly 5–12 days.

What makes Variegated Cat Grass different from plain barley?

Our barley is variegated in green and white stripes, so it is a treat for the eye as well. A dish of grass for your feline companion can also save a lot of wear and tear on your houseplants.

How do I keep a dish of Variegated Cat Grass looking tidy?

“Mow” it periodically with scissors and keep the soil moist. If you grow it outdoors instead, give it full sun and well-drained soil of average fertility; this annual (Hordeum vulgare) is frost hardy and prefers cool conditions.
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