Purple Love Grass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Grass
Height
24 inches
Width
36 inches
Light
Full Sun
Zones
5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Low
Humidity
Adaptable
Lifespan
Short-lived perennial grass
Native To
North America
Toxicity
Non-toxic
The Story
Plant Bio
Eragrostis spectabilis is a warm-season, clump-forming ornamental grass native to North America. It forms a low tuft of green foliage, but is most noted for its spectacular, airy, reddish-purple flower panicles that appear in late summer. The defining characteristic is the cloud-like haze of fine-textured, purple-pink inflorescences that rise above the foliage, creating a stunning visual effect, especially when backlit. The entire seed head often detaches and tumbles in the wind.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Marketplace
Where to Buy
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Planting
How to Grow
- Select a site in full sun with poor to average, well-drained soil.
- Prepare the planting area by loosening the soil.
- Dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the pot.
- Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the crown is at soil level.
- Backfill with soil and water thoroughly to settle.
- Water periodically during the first season until established; it is drought tolerant thereafter.
Pro Tip
Plant it where the late afternoon sun can shine through the blooms, creating a breathtaking, glowing purple haze in the garden.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Provide full sun for best flowering and form.
- Embrace its self-seeding nature for naturalized drifts.
- Cut back old foliage in late winter or early spring.
- Use it in mass plantings for the most dramatic effect.
Don't
- Do not plant in shade, as it will become floppy and not flower well.
- Avoid overly rich or fertile soil, which can lead to weak growth.
- Do not overwater once the plant is established.
- Don't worry about fertilizing; it thrives in poor soil.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Spring Cleanup |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Purple Love Grass questions
What zones can Purple Love Grass grow in?
Purple Love Grass is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Purple Love Grass deer resistant?
Yes — Purple Love Grass is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Purple Love Grass bloom?
Purple Love Grass typically blooms in mid-summer through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Purple Love Grass need full sun?
Purple Love Grass does best in full sun (6+ hours).
Is Purple Love Grass drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Purple Love Grass handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
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Grow Purple Love Grass with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.
