Heirloom

Black Tip Wheat

Triticum durum

Wikimedia Commons

Very fancy white glumes (kernels) offset by long black awns. Easy textural element for fresh and dried bouquets. Also known as durum wheat.

Harvest

75-80d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Direct Sow

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Black Tip Wheat in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Black Tip Wheat · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilWell-drained loam to sandy loam, moderately fertile

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorWhite with black awns

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	—	July – September	June – August	—
Zone 2	—	July – August	May – July	—
Zone 11	—	February – March	January – February	—
Zone 3	—	June – August	May – July	—
Zone 4	—	June – July	April – June	—
Zone 5	—	May – July	April – June	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	April – June	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	March – May	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	March – May	—
Zone 9	—	March – May	February – April	—
Zone 10	—	March – April	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Black Tip Wheat isn't a succession crop the way radishes or lettuce are — you sow it once, the stand heads out, and you harvest all of it. Timing that single sowing matters a lot, though. In zone 7, direct sow between late February and mid-March so the plants head up before consistent daytime highs push past 90°F. Sowing as late as May is possible but pushes grain fill into early summer heat, and you'll see it in the kernel weight.

If you want the bed to keep producing after wheat harvest, put in a fast-maturing warm-season cover like buckwheat or cowpeas immediately — the ground will be bare by late May or June and there's plenty of season left. That's not succession planting in the classic sense, but it beats leaving the bed fallow through the hottest stretch of the year.

Complete Growing Guide

Very fancy white glumes (kernels) offset by long black awns. Easy textural element for fresh and dried bouquets. Also known as durum wheat. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Black Tip Wheat is 75 - 80 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Ideal for Drying and Crafts.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Black Tip Wheat reaches harvest at 75 - 80 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Edibility: The grain is edible when cooked.

Storage & Preservation

Store fresh Black Tip Wheat stalks in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight at room temperature (60-70°F) with low humidity to prevent mold. Fresh bouquets last 2-3 weeks when kept dry. For preservation: (1) Air-dry bundles upside-down in a well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create lasting dried arrangements; (2) Silica gel drying preserves color and texture in 7-10 days for premium floral displays; (3) Freeze-drying maintains the striking black awns and white glumes for year-round floral use. Store dried material in airtight containers in cool, dry conditions for 6-12 months.

History & Origin

Black Tip Wheat is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Turkey through Iran to India

Advantages

+Edible: The grain is edible when cooked.
+Fast-growing
+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

The legumes — red clover, crimson clover, field peas, alfalfa, and vetch — are the companions that actually move the needle here. All of them fix atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules (via Rhizobium bacteria), which feeds the wheat directly without bagged fertilizer. The standard move is to undersow clover or vetch into the wheat stand around the 4–6 week mark, once the wheat is tall enough that the clover won't shade it out. The legume holds the ground layer, adds nitrogen as it grows, and when you turn it in after wheat harvest, the bed gets a green manure shot for whatever crop comes next.

Yarrow and chicory pull their weight differently. Yarrow draws in parasitic wasps and predatory beetles — natural enemies of the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi), which is one of the more realistic yield threats during heading. Chicory's deep taproot, sometimes reaching 18 inches or more, breaks compaction in bed edges and pathways without competing much with wheat roots, which stay comparatively shallow.

The weeds listed as harmful — wild oats (Avena fatua), Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), Canada thistle, and quackgrass — all fight the wheat for water and nutrients at nearly the same root depth. In our zone 7 Georgia garden, Johnson grass is the one to stay ahead of; it spreads by rhizome and can overrun a wheat stand quickly if you let it get a foothold in the bed edges before the wheat closes the canopy.

Plant Together

Red Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil, improving wheat nutrition and soil fertility

Alfalfa

Deep taproot brings nutrients from subsoil, adds nitrogen through nitrogen fixation

White Clover

Ground cover that fixes nitrogen and suppresses weeds around wheat

Crimson Clover

Winter cover crop that adds nitrogen and organic matter when tilled under

Field Peas

Nitrogen-fixing legume that enriches soil for wheat growth

Vetch

Climbs wheat stalks, fixes nitrogen, and provides ground cover

Yarrow

Attracts beneficial insects and may improve wheat's disease resistance

Chicory

Deep taproot breaks up compacted soil and brings up minerals

Keep Apart

Wild Oats

Competes aggressively for nutrients and water, difficult to separate from wheat harvest

Johnson Grass

Allelopathic effects inhibit wheat germination and growth

Canada Thistle

Aggressive perennial weed that competes for nutrients and space

Quackgrass

Spreads rapidly through rhizomes, competing with wheat for resources

Troubleshooting Black Tip Wheat

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Tan, water-soaked lesions on lower stems at soil level, plants lodging (falling over) in patches around day 50–60

Likely Causes

Crown rot (Fusarium culmorum or F. graminearum) — favored by wet soils and heavy clay that stays saturated after spring rains
Planting too deep, burying the crown more than 1–1.5 inches

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected plants — don't compost them
2.Improve drainage before the next planting; work in compost or coarse sand if you're in heavy clay
3.Plant shallowly next time — seeds at 1 to 1.5 inches deep, not deeper

Grain heads partially filled or nearly empty at harvest (around day 75–80), kernels shriveled or absent on portions of the spike

Likely Causes

Heat stress during pollination — durum wheat pollinates in a narrow window and temperatures above 90°F during heading can abort grain set
Aphid feeding (primarily bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi) during flag leaf stage, draining plant energy before heading

What to Do

1.Shift your direct sow date earlier — aim for late February or early March in zone 7 so heading happens before the worst May heat arrives
2.Scout flag leaves for aphid colonies; a hard spray of water knocks populations back without chemicals if you catch it early
3.Accept partial yield and harvest anyway — shriveled kernels still have flavor and grind fine for home use

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Black Tip Wheat take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

Black Tip Wheat typically takes 75-80 days from planting to harvest maturity. Germination occurs in 7-10 days under proper conditions. The entire growing cycle from emergence to fully mature heads with dark awns ready for cutting takes approximately 2.5-3 months, making it a relatively quick ornamental grain crop for seasonal arrangements.

Can you grow Black Tip Wheat in containers?▼

Yes, Black Tip Wheat can be grown in containers, though larger pots (12+ inches deep) work best to accommodate root development. Use well-draining soil and ensure full sun exposure. Container-grown plants may be slightly shorter but still produce striking heads with black awns suitable for fresh and dried bouquets. Regular monitoring of soil moisture is essential.

Is Black Tip Wheat good for beginners?▼

Black Tip Wheat is moderately difficult but approachable for beginners with basic gardening experience. It's a hardy heirloom variety that requires full sun and well-drained soil, but is relatively pest and disease-resistant. The main consideration is timing the planting for your climate zone, but once established, it grows reliably and produces stunning results for floral design.

When should I plant Black Tip Wheat?▼

Plant Black Tip Wheat in spring after the last frost date in your region, as it prefers cool-season growing. Direct sow seeds about 1-2 inches deep. In warmer climates, it can also be planted in fall for winter/early spring harvest. Ensure full sun exposure throughout the growing season for optimal head development and darker awn coloration.

What makes Black Tip Wheat different from regular wheat varieties?▼

Black Tip Wheat, also known as durum wheat, features distinctive long black awns contrasting beautifully against white glumes (kernels). This dramatic coloration and texture make it exceptionally popular for fresh and dried floral arrangements. Unlike utility wheat varieties, it's primarily grown for ornamental appeal rather than grain yield, making it ideal for crafters and florists.

How should I harvest and dry Black Tip Wheat for arrangements?▼

Harvest when the heads turn golden and awns are fully darkened, typically at 75-80 days. Cut stalks just below the head or with 6-12 inches of stem for bouquet work. Air-dry upside-down in bundles in a warm, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks. Dried stalks remain stable for 6-12 months when stored in cool, dry conditions away from humidity.