Photo: Patrícia MeesCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Small Lovegrass Plant Care
Eragrostis amabilis (L.) Wight & Arn.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Native to Australia, this plant is easily distinguished by its stunning inflorescences that resemble fluffy clouds. Eragrostis amabilis is highly sought after by plant collectors for its ornamental grass-like appearance and ability to thrive in a variety of climates.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Small Lovegrass?
Water Small Lovegrass every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Small Lovegrass Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Small Lovegrass?
Small Lovegrass (Eragrostis amabilis) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Eragrostis genus. Small Lovegrass is native to Africa and southern Asia. Small Lovegrass is also known as Common Eargrass.
Small Lovegrass displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Small Lovegrass produces small, inconspicuous flowers in terminal panicles.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Small Lovegrass?
Eragrostis amabilis requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Small Lovegrass Need?
Small Lovegrass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Small Lovegrass Prefer?
Eragrostis amabilis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Small Lovegrass prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small Lovegrass?
Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Small Lovegrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Small Lovegrass?
Feed Small Lovegrass every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Small Lovegrass?
Divide clumps every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Small Lovegrass?
Small Lovegrass can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to elliott's lovegrass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Small Lovegrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Small Lovegrass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Small Lovegrass?
Small Lovegrass is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, cutworms. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Small Lovegrass Need?
Small Lovegrass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Small Lovegrass is native to Africa and southern Asia. In cooler regions, grow Small Lovegrass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Small Lovegrass is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Eragrostis genus — compare its care with other Eragrostis species on PlantoScan.
Eragrostis is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Small Lovegrass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Eragrostis Species
Other Eragrostis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Eragrostis amabilis (L.) Wight & Arn., family Poaceae (first published in Cat. Indian Pl. 2: 105 (1834)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Small Lovegrass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Patrícia Mees, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Small Lovegrass Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species