Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Purple Love Grass Plant Care
Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh) Steud.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This ornamental grass stands out with its striking purple-hued leaves, adding a pop of color to any garden. Originating from South Africa, Eragrostis spectabilis is sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and ability to attract pollinators with its delicate pink flowers.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Purple Love Grass?
Purple Love Grass grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Purple Love Grass Native To?
What Is the Purple Love Grass?
Purple Love Grass (Eragrostis spectabilis) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Eragrostis genus. Purple Love Grass is native to South Africa. Purple Love Grass is also known as Purple Lovegrass, Tumblegrass.
Purple Love Grass displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Purple Love Grass produces small, inconspicuous flowers in terminal panicles.
What Light Does the Purple Love Grass Need?
Purple Love Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Purple Love Grass?
Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Purple Love Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Purple Love Grass?
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 Purple Love Grass?
Purple Love Grass can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the Purple Love Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Purple Love Grass, 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 Purple Love Grass?
Purple Love Grass 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 Purple Love Grass Need?
Purple Love Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Purple Love Grass is native to South Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Purple Love Grass 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.
Purple Love Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh) Steud., family Poaceae (first published in Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 1: 564 (1840)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Purple Love Grass, 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: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, 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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