How to Grow Purple Love Grass
Purple Love Grass
Eragrostis chloromelas
grassPurple Love Grass is an ornamental perennial grass native to South Africa, known for its delicate, feathery purple-tinged seed heads that create a stunning visual display in gardens. The fine-textured foliage forms attractive clumps that turn bronze-burgundy in fall and winter. This drought-tolerant grass is popular in contemporary landscaping and naturalistic garden designs.
When should you plant Purple Love Grass in your zone?
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Example Purple Love Grass timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Purple Love Grass
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 Purple Love Grass
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Love Grass dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-11, best in zones 9-10
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with fine, hair-like leaves emerge. Plants are very delicate at this stage.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Protect from wind and strong sun initially.
Juvenile Growth
4-6 weeksSmall clumps form with increasingly visible foliage. Plants are still tender and establishing root systems.
Reduce watering gradually. Begin acclimatizing to full sun. Ensure excellent drainage. Avoid fertilizing with high-nitrogen products.
Vegetative Development
8-10 weeksEstablished clumps with dense, fine-textured foliage. Plants grow vigorously and fill out their designated space.
Water during dry spells. No fertilizer needed in native soils. Reduce watering as plants mature. Begin fall color transition.
Flowering & Seed Head Formation
8-12 weeksDelicate, open panicles emerge above foliage, initially greenish then turning to purple, pink, and bronze tones. Seed heads are extremely attractive.
Minimal intervention needed. Allow seed heads to develop fully for ornamental value. Do not deadhead if self-seeding is desired.
Dormancy & Winter Color
3-4 monthsFoliage transitions to deep bronze, burgundy, and reddish tones. Seed heads persist and add winter interest. Growth slows significantly.
Cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges (optional; can leave standing for wildlife). Minimal water needed.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor for skeletonized leaves; use neem oil or spinosad; encourage natural predators
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Maintain good drainage and avoid overwatering; use insecticidal soap if severe
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Increase humidity around plants; use water spray or neem oil; ensure plants are not drought-stressed
Uses
Landscape & Garden Design
OrnamentalPurple Love Grass serves as an exceptional accent plant and specimen grass in gardens, creating movement, texture, and stunning purple-bronze color transitions throughout the seasons. Its fine texture complements perennials and works beautifully in naturalistic, contemporary, and cottage garden designs. [source]
Dried Arrangements & Floral Design
CraftThe delicate, colorful seed heads are prized for dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and floral displays. The persistent stems provide long-lasting structure and visual interest in both fresh and preserved arrangements. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Food Source
WildlifeThe fine seeds provide food for small birds and beneficial insects throughout fall and winter. The dense foliage offers shelter for beneficial insects and overwintering species. [source]
Erosion Control & Ground Stabilization
HouseholdThe deep root system helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes and in areas prone to water runoff. Its low-growing nature makes it useful in xeriscaping and water-conservation landscapes. [source]
Harvest Tips
This ornamental grass is primarily grown for aesthetic value rather than harvest. Allow seed heads to fully mature and develop their characteristic purple coloration (typically by mid-fall). For dried arrangements, cut stems when seed heads are fully colored but before they shatter. Seeds will self-sow if left on the plant. Cut back plants in late winter or early spring, removing dead foliage to encourage fresh spring growth.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The scientific name 'chloromelas' means 'green-black,' referring to the seedhead coloration that transitions from green to purple-black as it matures.
- 🌱 Purple Love Grass is extremely drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for water-wise gardens and areas with limited rainfall.
- 🌱 The seed heads can persist through winter, providing ornamental interest even when many other plants have gone dormant, and offering sustained wildlife food sources.
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