Cat Grass, Common Oat, Wild Oat

Avenasativa

Family
Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Avena (a-VEE-na)
Species
sativa (sa-TEE-vuh)
Synonym
Avena byzantina
Avena fatua var. sativa
Avena sativa var. orientalis
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Provides Winter Interest
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
Not Applicable
Bloom Color
Chartreuse (yellow-green)
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Herbs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
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 is said to grow outdoors 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 all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
2
neutrals
1
negative
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3
3
Richmond, CA | January 2019 | negative

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...Read More

C
Broomfield, CO (Zone 5b) | August 2008 | positive

From your friends at Botanical Interests: Are your cats munching on your houseplants? That's because they need the nutrients from greens ...Read More

J
Marshalltown, IA | January 2008 | positive

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 ta...Read More

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | January 2007 | neutral

Cat Grass, Common Oat, Wild Oat Avena sativa is Naturalized in Texas and other States.

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | January 2004 | neutral

Can be planted indoors in a container for your favorite feline. Provides them with extra vitamins and minerals in their diets, especiall...Read More

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Featured
Six-spotted Fishing Spider
(Dolomedes triton)
Reddish Egret
(Egretta rufescens)