High Country Gardens
Purple Love Grass (Eragrostis spectabilis)
Best low-maintenance choice for gardeners managing difficult, dry, or rocky landscapes.
Eragrostis spectabilis, commonly known as Purple Love Grass, is a striking native grass from the eastern US. It graces the landscape with airy clouds of reddish-purple flowers in late summer, maturing into attractive brown seed heads. This resilient grass thrives in challenging conditions, including dry, lean, sandy, or rocky soils, and is tolerant of black walnuts and road salt. Its naturalizing ability makes it ideal for mass plantings and erosion control, encouraging reseeding for continued beauty.
$11.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 3014
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-57%
Below average
Hardiness Zones
59
/ -
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking vibrant late-season landscape drama
- Xeriscaping enthusiasts needing low-water, resilient plant options
- Homeowners managing challenging, nutrient-poor, or sandy soil conditions
Who should skip it
- Gardeners prioritizing consistent, year-round visual interest
- Landscapers desiring immediate spring greenery and growth
- Minimalists wanting low-maintenance beds without volunteer seedlings
Performance breakdown
Drought Resilience
Thrives in lean, dry soils where other ornamental grasses struggle.
Visual Impact
Airy purple blooms create a striking, cloud-like effect in late summer.
Maintenance Ease
Requires minimal intervention once established, perfect for low-effort landscapes.
Erosion Control
Deep root systems effectively stabilize soil on slopes and banks.
Environmental Adaptability
Highly tolerant of road salt and black walnut toxicity.
Naturalizing Potential
Readily reseeds to expand coverage and fill in garden gaps.
Key Specs
Hardiness Zones
5-9
Mature Height
12-24 inches
Mature Spread
12-24 inches
Ships As
Potted Plant (2.5" Pot)
Soil Moisture
Waterwise (Low-Water)
Neonicotinoid Free
Yes
Growth Habit
Ornamental Grass
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Features
- Showy reddish-purple flower clouds
- Tolerant of challenging soils
- Resistant to black walnuts and road salt
- Naturalizes easily in landscapes
- Valuable for erosion control
- Suitable for cut or dried arrangements
- Encourages reseeding for continuous growth
What customers say
Consumers express strong satisfaction regarding the plant's quality and reliability. The Purple Love Grass arrives exceptionally healthy, establishing quickly even in difficult soil conditions. Customers appreciate its dependable performance, noting the beautiful, airy purple haze it provides late in the season. This hardiness and ease of establishment make it a highly valued addition for gardeners seeking low maintenance, long term color and texture.
Know before you buy
This grass prefers sandy, well-drained soil and is specifically adapted to lean, rocky, or dry conditions. It is an excellent choice for areas where other plants might struggle due to poor soil quality.
Yes, Eragrostis spectabilis is tolerant of black walnuts. It is a great option for landscapes where juglone, the chemical produced by walnut trees, inhibits the growth of many other plants.
Purple Love Grass is a low-water, waterwise plant that requires minimal intervention. It is highly resilient and naturalizes easily, meaning it will spread and reseed itself to fill in areas over time.
Absolutely. The airy, reddish-purple flower clouds are suitable for both fresh cut arrangements and dried floral displays, adding a unique texture to your home decor.
Yes, its naturalizing habit and ability to thrive in challenging, dry soils make it an ideal candidate for erosion control on slopes or in areas with loose, sandy ground.
Purple Love Grass encourages reseeding to maintain its presence in the landscape. If you want to limit its spread, simply trim back the seed heads before they fully disperse in the late fall.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$12