Golden oats (Stipa gigantea)

Golden oats (Stipa gigantea) is a grass plant that can grow 1.5m – 3m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Golden oats (Stipa gigantea).
This plant is commonly known as golden oats.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: golden oats
Scientific name: Stipa gigantea
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Tufted
Height: 1.5m – 3m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Architectural
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spring | ||||
Summer | ||||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |

How to plant Golden oats (Stipa gigantea) – User:Xemenendura, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Golden oats (Stipa gigantea), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Golden oats (Stipa gigantea) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Stipa gigantea likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Golden oats (Stipa gigantea) should be grown in full sun places.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Golden oats (Stipa gigantea) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons