Cat Grass, Common Oat, Wild Oat
Avena sativa
| Family: | Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Avena (a-VEE-na) (Info) |
| Species: | sativa (sa-TEE-vuh) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Avena byzantina |
| Synonym: | Avena fatua var. sativa |
| Synonym: | Avena sativa var. orientalis |
Category:
Annuals
Herbs
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Provides Winter Interest
Foliage Color:
Height:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing:
Hardiness:
Not Applicable
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Bloom Color:
Chartreuse (yellow-green)
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements:
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
East Richmond Heights, California
Lawndale, California
Merced, California
Taft, California
Longmont, Colorado
Marshalltown, Iowa
Benton, Kentucky
Cumberland, Maryland
Hulbert, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Dallas, Texas
Manchaca, Texas
Princeton, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Negative | On Jan 7, 2019, 3Riley from Richmond, CA wrote: It's stickers can get caught in a pet's ears,paws, etc. It is an invasive pest that has taken over almost all of California's native perennial grasslands, tuning them into fire hazard annual grassland. |
| Positive | On Aug 20, 2008, CurtisJones from Broomfield, CO (Zone 5b) wrote: From your friends at Botanical Interests: Are your cats munching on your houseplants? That's because they need the nutrients from greens that they're not getting in their diet. You can provide fresh greens for them year 'round with Cat Grass. Botanical Interests' Cat Grass is a type of oats with a smooth leaf blade, making it easier to swallow. The oats provide vitamins and minerals, assist in furball elimination, and give your cats a healthy alternative to eating houseplants or pesticide-laden turf grass outside. After your cats have eaten Cat Grass a few times, they will be less likely to gorge themselves and will keep it down better. If your cats are new to Cat Grass, give the container to them for just a few minutes after feeding time until they adjust and can have regular access. Sow ... read more |
| Positive | On Jan 2, 2008, JimIowa from Marshalltown, IA wrote: My cat loves this. We plant 30 to 40 seeds in a 6" pot, give it some sun, keep it watered and cut it down to 8" high when it gets too tall. easy to save seeds and grow year after year. |
| Neutral | On Jan 3, 2007, frostweed from Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: Cat Grass, Common Oat, Wild Oat Avena sativa is Naturalized in Texas and other States. |
| Neutral | On Jan 15, 2004, Terry from Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) wrote: Can be planted indoors in a container for your favorite feline. Provides them with extra vitamins and minerals in their diets, especially in winter months and/or for indoor-only pets. |
