Avena Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

In this Gardener's HQ growing guide, we'll explore cultivating Avena plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

Oats, Animated Oats, Wild Oats, & Cat Plant: Cultivation & Garden Use

Avena grasses can be either hardy annuals or hardy perennials.

They tend to flower at the height of summer, and are commonly known as Common Oat, Wild Oat, Cat Plant, and Animated Oat.

Avena sativa by Amy B.

Description of Avena

Plants can reach heights of between one and four feet (30 to 120 cm).

They have blue leaves, and blooms are usually green spikelets.

The Avena plant should be used as an emphasis plant for the garden, and can also be grown in containers.

Information on Avena and commonly grown garden species

The Avena genus contains up to 15 species, and is more commonly known as the Oats genus. It belongs to the Poaceae family of true grasses. Members of this widespread family are native to Europe, Asia and parts of North Africa.

Oats can be grown in the garden, both as a food source or more commonly in the garden as a decorative grass.

Some of the Avena species that are cultivated as a food source are as follows:

Avena sativa: Common Oat; Cat Grass
Avena abyssinica: Ethiopian Oat
Avena nuda: Hulless Oat
Avena strigosa: Bristle Oat

Species of Avena that are commonly grown in gardens as ornamental grasses, include A. Sativa from the above and:

Avena fatua: Common Wild Oat
Avena barbata: Slender Wild Oat
Avena sterilis: Winter Wild Oat; Animated Oat
Avena brevis: Short Oat
Avena occidentalis: Western Oat

As a member of the 10,000 species strong grass family (Poaceae) Avena species are closely related to species such as Barley (Hordeum), Maize (Zea), Rice (Oryza), Wheat (Triticum), Calamagrotis, Festuca, Melica and Needlegrass (Stipa).

What is Corn?

Did you know that the term 'corn' means 'local cereal grain'? Therefore the use of the word corn means different thing in different countries. In the country of Scotland, when someone refers to corn they mean Oats.

Did you know, number two: common oats (Avena sativa) are also known as 'Cat Grass' because cats love to eat them.

They contain many nutrients that are missing from the canine diet. Many people grow this plant in containers indoors for their house cats.

Many of the wild oats are considered to be an invasive species in the USA. They love to grow in farmers fields, and are able to out-compete many native grasses.

Commonly Grown Avena Species Photographs and Oat Plant Identification

Avena sativa : Common Oat

Avena sativa (Common Oat, Oats), photograph by Harry Rose; CC.

This annual species is a well known food crop, especially in Scotland where it is used to make porridge.

Oat Plants range in height from two to three feet (30 to 90 cm), and should be grown in full sunlight.

Sow Avena sativa seeds at a depth of ¼ inch (6 mm) in early spring.

The plants have green inconspicuous blooms and form spikelets.

Although a food plant, in the garden they are usually used for ornamental purposes. For best results water regularly.

These plants can be grown as part of a grouping, or as a container plant.

Avena nuda

Avena nuda (Hulless oats), picture by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.

Avena fatua: Common Wild Oat; Cat Grass

Avena fatua by Matt Lavin.

This annual species is native to Eurasia. In the Americas, it is considered weedy and invasive by many states. It is able to grow strongly and out-compete crops grown on prairies.

Avena fatua plants are usually about two feet (60 cm) in height, but can reach up to four feet (1.2 m).

They have tall upright hollow stems that bear panicle inflorescence's that form spikelets.

For best results, grow plants in areas of full sunlight, they will bloom (inconspicuously) in the Summer.

Water regularly for optimal results.

To prevent spread, be sure to deadhead before they have chance to set seed.

How to grow Avena

Avena seeds should be sown outdoors, sow the seeds of oats at a depth of 6 mm (1/4 inch) from the beginning to middle of spring.

The seedlings of oats can also be purchased. Annual varieties should be planted in the early spring, whereas perennial varieties can be planted either in the early spring or in autumn.

Depending on the variety, Avena seedlings should be planted at a spacing of 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches; small) or 45 to 60 cm (15 to 24 inches) apart (larger varieties of oat).

Avena should be planted in an area that receives full sunlight, in a dry soil with a pH of 6 to 7.5.

How to care for Avena

Avena species are easy to look after, they should be regularly watered (although they are pretty drought tolerant) for best growth. They can be left alone all year round.

Decorative Oats

Dried Avena make a very attractive plant to use in flower arrangements. Cut off the seed heads(and as much stem as you desire)once the seeds have developed. Dry upright indoors, this will produce dried oats that appear to droop naturally.

Common Questions

How many members does the Avena genus have?

The Avena genus contains about 30 species, including oats used in farming and a few wild species.

Do members of Avena make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Most species of Avena, like the oat, are agricultural rather than ornamental plants. Avena sativa can be grown as an ornamental grass for its elegant, swaying stems.

Which Avena species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Avena sativa, or the common oat, is often grown by gardeners and farmers for its edible seeds and as a cover crop.

Are members of the Avena plant genus fragrant?

Avena plants, including oats, are not generally known for their fragrance.

What is the perfect location to grow Avena?

Avena, particularly Avena sativa, prefers full sun and grows best in well-drained soil. It is often grown in fields as a crop plant.

Is Avena invasive in the USA, if so in which states?

Some Avena species, such as Avena fatua or wild oat, can become invasive in agricultural settings, but they are generally not invasive in home gardens.

How do I remove Avena plants from my garden?

If you need to remove Avena plants, the most effective method is to pull them out by hand before they set seed, ensuring all roots are removed.

Summary

The Avena genus, a member of the Poaceae family, includes 30 species of grasses commonly known as oats. The most well-known species is Avena sativa, or common oat, which is a major cereal grain worldwide. These plants feature tall, upright stalks with loose panicles of drooping, spikelet flowers.

Avena plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are quite adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, including poor, sandy, or clay soils. These grasses are primarily grown for their grain, but they can also provide visual interest in a garden, especially when their seed heads sway in the wind.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on Avena. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Lagurus, Ribbon Grass, Parnassia, and Eragrostis plants.