How to Grow Spelt Wheat

Spelt Wheat

Triticum dicoccum

grain

Spelt is an ancient hulled wheat variety with a nutty flavor and superior nutritional profile compared to modern bread wheat. It produces tall, sturdy plants with distinctive seed heads and has been cultivated for thousands of years in Mediterranean and European regions. Spelt is prized for whole grain bread, pasta, and nutritional products.

Looking for a specific variety?

Spelta Dicoccum Dukka Oberkulmer Spelt White Spelt Red Spelt

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum

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Water: Moderate water needs; 12-15 inches annual rainfall or irrigation. Water deeply during establishment and grain fill; reduce watering as plants mature and enter dormancy.

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Spacing: 6-8 inches between plants in rows; rows 6-9 inches apart (broadcast seeding at 1.5-2 million seeds per acre) inches

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Days to maturity: 120-150 days (spring spelt) to 180-210 days (winter spelt, including dormancy)

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Planting depth: 1-2 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to clay-loam soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost or well-rotted manure before planting Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting Nitrogen supplementation in spring for growth phase

Growing Zones

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Zones 4-7; winter spelt thrives in cooler climates with cold winters

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

Growth Stages

Germination & Emergence

7-14 days

Seeds sprout and first shoots emerge from soil. Young seedlings develop initial root system and first true leaves.

Ensure consistent soil moisture; protect from heavy foot traffic. Monitor for birds eating seeds. Maintain soil temperature between 40-50°F for optimal germination.

Vegetative Growth (Tillering)

4-8 weeks

Plant develops multiple shoots (tillers) from base, expanding leaf canopy. Stems thicken and root system deepens significantly.

Apply nitrogen fertilizer in spring for winter-planted spelt. Ensure adequate moisture and sunlight. Control early weeds through cultivation or herbicide. Monitor for Hessian flies and cereal leaf beetles.

Stem Elongation & Jointing

3-4 weeks

Visible nodes develop on stems as plant enters rapid vertical growth phase. Flag leaf (uppermost) emerges. Height increases from 12 inches to 24-36 inches.

Spelt naturally resists lodging better than wheat but monitor in windy areas. Reduce watering slightly to encourage stronger stems. Watch for disease development in humid conditions.

Heading & Flowering

2-3 weeks

Seed head emerges from flag leaf sheath. Distinctive square-shaped seed head with long awns extends fully. Anthers release pollen.

Critical stage for grain development. Maintain consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging. Monitor for Fusarium head blight in wet conditions. No additional nitrogen needed.

Grain Fill & Maturation

3-4 weeks

Seeds develop and fill with starch and nutrients. Kernel reaches hard stage; plant yellows and dries gradually. Moisture content drops from 40% to 10-15%.

Reduce watering; allow plant to dry naturally. Cease all fertilization. Harvest when seed heads turn golden-brown and kernels cannot be easily dented with fingernail.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Clover Vetch Field peas Hairy vetchling Legume cover crops

Avoid planting near:

Other wheat varieties (cross-pollination and disease spread) Rye (allelopathic effects) Continuous monoculture in same field (disease buildup)

Common Pests

Plant resistant varieties; use proper planting dates to avoid peak fly emergence; remove crop debris; crop rotation
Monitor early growth stages; use insecticidal soap if severe; encourage natural predators; early planting dates reduce population
Scouting and threshold-based spray decisions; Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for heavy infestations; maintain habitat for parasitoid wasps
Plant resistant or tolerant varieties; avoid excessive nitrogen; provide good air circulation; crop rotation; remove infected plant debris
Select mildew-resistant varieties; avoid excess nitrogen; ensure adequate spacing for air flow; sulfur fungicide if necessary

Uses

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Whole Grain & Flour

Culinary

Spelt berries cook into nutritious whole grains; when milled, spelt flour creates flavorful, slightly sweet bread and baked goods with unique nutty character. The flour is prized by artisan bakers for both bread and pastry applications. [source]

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Pasta & Noodles

Culinary

Spelt is milled into semolina or durum-style flour used to make high-protein pasta, ramen, and specialty noodles. Products have a distinctly nutty flavor and superior protein content compared to common wheat. [source]

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Nutritional & Digestive Health

Medicinal

Spelt contains higher levels of niacin, thiamine, and phosphorus than modern wheat, plus beneficial fiber and magnesium. Some believe the looser gluten structure makes spelt more digestible than bread wheat, though it is NOT gluten-free. [source]

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Animal Feed & Livestock

Household

Spelt is an excellent forage crop and grain supplement for livestock, poultry, and horses, providing superior nutrition compared to commodity wheat. The straw is also valued for bedding. [source]

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Craft Brewing & Malting

Craft

Specialty breweries use malted spelt to create unique beer styles with distinctive spicy and slightly sweet notes. Spelt malt brings complexity and historical authenticity to heritage beer recipes. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest when seed heads turn golden-brown and kernels are hard (cannot be dented by thumbnail). Cut stalks with scythe, sickle, or combine harvester at 2-4 inches above ground to allow regrowth if multi-cut system used. Dry grain to 12-14% moisture for storage. Thresh to remove hulls; spelt retains hulls more tightly than wheat, requiring specialized threshing equipment. Allow 2-3 days for field drying after cutting before threshing.

Fun Facts

🌱 Spelt is one of the oldest cultivated wheat species, dating back over 8,000 years to the Fertile Crescent. It was a staple of ancient Egyptian, Roman, and medieval European civilizations.
🌱 Spelt's hulled kernels remain enclosed in a protective outer husk even after threshing, which requires specialized equipment to remove. This hull provides superior protection against pests and contaminants but makes processing more labor-intensive.
🌱 Spelt was nearly extinct by the 1950s when industrial agriculture shifted to modern bread wheat, but revival in organic and specialty food markets has made it a thriving niche crop once again, particularly in Europe and increasingly in North America.

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