African love grass (Eragrostis curvula) is a grass plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant African love grass (Eragrostis curvula).
This plant has several common names including: African love grass or weeping love grass.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: African love grass, weeping love grass
Scientific name: Eragrostis curvula
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Tufted
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Coastal, Informal Garden
Planting type: Cut Flowers, Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant African love grass (Eragrostis curvula) – Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant African love grass (Eragrostis curvula), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
African love grass (Eragrostis curvula) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Eragrostis curvula likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
African love grass (Eragrostis curvula) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing African love grass (Eragrostis curvula) – USDA NRCS Tucson PMC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
