Grass
Purple Lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Varieties We Carry
StandardEragrostis spectabilis
Sizes & Pricing
4 inFrom$4.95
1 galFrom$9.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun
WaterLow
Mature size1.5-2.5 feet (foliage); panicles raise height to 3-4 feet in bloom × 2-3 feet
About Purple Lovegrass
Purple lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis) is a native North American warm-season bunch grass celebrated for its billowing clouds of reddish-purple flower panicles that appear in late summer and persist into autumn. The fine-textured foliage turns red-orange in fall, adding multi-season color to meadows and naturalistic plantings. Starting at $4.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- Purple
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Sandy, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
J
F
M
A
M
JNow
J
A
S
O
N
D
This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Handles summer heat well once established.
Bloom season. Foliage may begin to change or drop.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Light
Grow in full sun for the best color and most billowing panicle display; tolerates partial sun but may produce fewer flower stems.
Water
Water regularly for the first few weeks after planting until established; once established, no supplemental irrigation is needed even in drought. Avoid planting in consistently wet areas.
Soil & Fertilizer
Thrives in nutrient-poor, well-drained sandy soils typical of NE Florida. Fertilization is generally unnecessary; overly rich soil promotes floppy growth. Cut back to a few inches in late winter before new growth emerges.
Similar needs
Switchgrass
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $6.95Same conditions
Wiregrass
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
From $7.95Same conditions
Baby Sun Rose
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $6.95Same conditions
Carolina Wild Petunia
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $9.95Same conditions
Christmas Jewel Holly
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $125.00Same conditions
Common Mallow
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $19.95Same conditions
You may also like
Common questions
Is Purple Lovegrass a good plant for St. Augustine?
Purple Lovegrass is a grass for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 1.5-2.5 feet (foliage); panicles raise height to 3-4 feet in bloom × 2-3 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.