How to Grow Lovegrass
Wikimedia Commons
Lovegrass
Digitaria eriantha
grassDigitaria eriantha, commonly known as lovegrass or fingergrass, is a warm-season perennial grass native to Africa that is widely cultivated for pasture, hay, and erosion control. It is highly nutritious for livestock and extremely drought-tolerant once established. The plant produces distinctive finger-like seed heads and can grow 60-90 cm tall in favorable conditions.
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Example Lovegrass timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Lovegrass
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Lovegrass
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-11; marginally hardy in zone 7b with winter protection
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Germination & Emergence
10-14 daysTiny seedlings with thin, hair-like leaves emerge and develop first true leaves. Root system begins establishing.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged; protect from foot traffic and heavy grazing; maintain consistent light exposure.
Seedling to Tiller Development
3-4 weeksYoung plants develop 3-4 true leaves and begin forming tillers (shoots from the base). Root system expands into soil.
Continue regular watering; allow light grazing at 4-6 inches height only if necessary; avoid heavy fertilization that encourages disease.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksPlants rapidly increase in height and tiller number, producing many shoots and extensive root development. Foliage becomes dense and deep green.
Maintain moderate grazing (4-6 inches stubble height); apply balanced fertilizer; reduce watering frequency as drought tolerance increases.
Reproductive/Flowering
3-4 weeksPlants bolt and produce characteristic finger-like inflorescences with 4-9 racemes radiating from a central point. Seeds develop on these spikes.
Delay grazing if seed production is desired; otherwise graze or cut to prevent seed maturation and promote forage quality.
Seed Maturity & Dormancy
Variable; extends into dormant seasonSeeds ripen and mature; forage quality declines as stems become woody. Plant enters growth plateau until next season.
Harvest seed if desired; implement rotational grazing; prepare for dormancy in cooler zones; maintain light grazing to remove mature stems.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor for leaf damage; allow natural predators; clip heavy infestations; avoid overuse of broad-spectrum insecticides that eliminate beneficial insects.
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Not usually economically damaging to pastures; tolerate moderate populations; maintain plant vigor through proper nutrition and grazing management.
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Rarely a major threat to established stands; manage through rotational grazing to maintain plant vigor; allow natural predators.
Uses
Livestock Forage
CulinaryLovegrass is highly palatable and nutritious for cattle, sheep, goats, and other grazing animals, providing excellent protein (8-12%) and digestibility (55-65%) in vegetative stages. It is a preferred species for sustainable grazing and pasture-based livestock production systems. [source]
Hay Production
HouseholdLovegrass produces high-quality hay when harvested at appropriate growth stages, offering reliable yields for winter feed storage and commercial hay operations in warm climates. [source]
Erosion Control & Soil Conservation
EnvironmentalThe extensive root system and dense growth habit of lovegrass make it excellent for stabilizing degraded soils, controlling erosion on slopes, and reclaiming degraded rangelands while improving soil structure. [source]
Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
EnvironmentalLovegrass is increasingly used in arid and semi-arid regions for sustainable landscaping, water conservation, and climate-resilient vegetation that requires minimal irrigation once established. [source]
Wildlife Habitat
WildlifeThe dense grass cover and seed production provide nesting habitat and food sources for grassland birds, insects, and other wildlife, supporting biodiversity in agricultural and conservation landscapes. [source]
Harvest Tips
For grazing: Implement rotational grazing with 4-6 inch stubble height; graze when plants reach 8-12 inches tall for optimal nutrition and regrowth. For hay: Cut at early boot to early head stage for maximum nutritional value; dry thoroughly to 15% moisture before baling. For seed: Allow flowering spikes to mature completely; harvest by hand-stripping or using a combine; seeds are ready when they detach easily. Multiple harvests possible during growing season in favorable climates.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Digitaria eriantha is native to the savannas and grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa, where it evolved to thrive in hot, dry conditions with minimal inputs.
- 🌱 The distinctive finger-like seed head (with 4-9 spikes radiating from a point) is why lovegrass belongs to the 'Digitaria' genus, derived from the Latin word 'digitus' meaning finger.
- 🌱 Lovegrass can regrow 5-8 times per season in tropical and subtropical climates, making it one of the most productive warm-season pasture grasses when properly managed through rotational grazing.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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