Photo: Kristály Cravens-LiszakCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Elliott's lovegrass Plant Care
Eragrostis elliottii S.Watson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Eragrostis elliottii, also known as Elliott's lovegrass, is a striking ornamental grass with delicate, feathery leaves that sway gracefully in the breeze. Originating from the Southeastern United States, this plant is popular among enthusiasts for its unique texture and movement in the garden.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Elliott's lovegrass?
Water Elliott's 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 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Elliott's lovegrass Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the Elliott's lovegrass?
Elliott's lovegrass (Eragrostis elliottii) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Eragrostis genus. Elliott's lovegrass is native to the West Indies and in central Mexico south to Belize.
Elliott's lovegrass displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Elliott's lovegrass produces small, inconspicuous flowers in terminal panicles.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Elliott's lovegrass?
Eragrostis elliottii 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 Elliott's lovegrass Need?
Elliott's lovegrass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Elliott's lovegrass Prefer?
Eragrostis elliottii grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Elliott's lovegrass prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Elliott's lovegrass?
Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Elliott's lovegrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Elliott's lovegrass?
Feed Elliott's 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 Elliott's 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 Elliott's lovegrass?
Elliott's lovegrass can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to small lovegrass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Elliott's lovegrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Elliott's 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 Elliott's lovegrass?
Elliott's 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 Elliott's lovegrass Need?
Elliott's lovegrass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Elliott's lovegrass is native to the West Indies and in central Mexico south to Belize.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Elliott's 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.
Elliott's 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 elliottii S.Watson, family Poaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 25: 140 (1890)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Elliott's 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: Kristály Cravens-Liszak, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 10b, 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.
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