How to Grow Lovegrass
Lovegrass
Digitaria eriantha subsp. pentzii
grassLovegrass is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass native to southern Africa, valued for pasture, hay production, and erosion control. It produces fine, nutritious forage and exhibits excellent drought tolerance once established. The grass forms dense tufts with thin, soft leaf blades and distinctive flowering heads.
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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 Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lovegrass dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-11; best performance in zones 9-10
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Germination & Emergence
2-3 weeksSeeds germinate within 7-14 days under warm conditions (70-85°F). Tiny seedlings with thin, hair-like leaves emerge from soil.
Keep seedbed moist but not waterlogged. Warm soil temperatures essential for good germination. Avoid heavy traffic on establishing seedlings.
Seedling & Early Vegetative
3-4 weeksSmall plants develop 3-4 leaves per tiller; root systems establish. Plants remain low-growing, 2-4 inches tall.
Maintain consistent moisture. Protect from grazing or heavy traffic. Begin light nitrogen application if forage production is goal. Weed control important at this stage.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksVigorous tillering begins; multiple shoots emerge per plant. Plants reach 12-24 inches height with increasingly dense foliage. Root system deepens significantly.
Apply fertilizer (nitrogen 50-100 lbs/acre for pasture). Ensure adequate water during this active growth phase. Begin light grazing at 6-8 inches if used for pasture.
Flowering & Seed Production
3-4 weeksDistinctive panicle-type seed heads emerge, featuring branched, delicate flowering structures. Plants reach mature height of 24-36 inches. Heads are purplish-bronze to tan.
Reduce nitrogen to encourage seed maturation. Avoid grazing to allow seed set. Monitor for pests. Flowering occurs 90-120 days after emergence depending on temperature.
Seed Maturity & Harvest
2-3 weeksSeed heads fully mature and harden. Seeds transition from green to brown. Plant may show some senescence of lower leaves.
Harvest seed when heads turn brown and seeds are firmly attached. Cut or strip seed heads when moisture content is 15-20%. Dry seeds to 12% moisture for storage.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Usually tolerate moderate defoliation. Monitor populations; use parasitoid wasps or insecticidal soaps for severe outbreaks. Natural predators often control populations.
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Minor pest; rarely requires intervention. Use neem oil or organic insecticides if populations become severe. Maintain vegetation health for resilience.
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Generally not a major concern in well-draining soils. Rotate with non-host crops if populations detected. Soil solarization in severe cases.
Uses
Livestock Forage
CulinaryLovegrass provides highly nutritious forage for cattle, sheep, goats, and other livestock. It produces excellent hay and can be grazed in rotational systems, maintaining quality even during dormancy. [source]
Erosion Control
HouseholdThe dense root system and bunchgrass growth habit make lovegrass excellent for stabilizing eroded areas, gullies, and disturbed soils. It holds soil effectively on slopes and in arid watersheds. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Forage
WildlifeLovegrass provides cover and food for grassland birds, small mammals, and game species. Its dense growth creates microhabitat while seeds and foliage support wildlife nutrition. [source]
Drought Resistance & Water Conservation
HouseholdOnce established, lovegrass requires minimal supplemental irrigation in semi-arid regions, making it ideal for sustainable rangeland management and reducing water usage in pasture systems. [source]
Ornamental & Landscape Use
CraftThe fine texture, attractive seed heads, and warm-season color make lovegrass appealing in native plantings and ornamental grassscapes, particularly in western and southwestern landscapes. [source]
Harvest Tips
For seed production, harvest when seed heads are completely brown and seeds detach easily when rubbed. Cut or strip flowering heads into collection bags when morning dew has dried. Thresh and winnow to remove chaff. For forage, graze at 6-8 inches boot stage or cut at 12-18 inches for hay, allowing 4-6 week regrowth periods. Lovegrass can be cut 2-4 times per season in favorable conditions.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Lovegrass (Digitaria eriantha subsp. pentzii) is native to South Africa and was introduced to the southwestern United States in the early 1900s for rangeland improvement and has become a staple in semi-arid pasture systems.
- 🌱 The common name 'Pentzii' lovegrass honors one of its early promoters in southern Africa; 'Digitaria' means 'fingered grain' referring to the distinctive seed head structure resembling fingers.
- 🌱 This subspecies can produce multiple seed heads per tiller and remains productive throughout the growing season, making it more productive than many native perennial grasses in appropriate climates.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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