How Tall Does Purple Love Grass Get?

Climate and Soil

• You can grow purple love grass in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 9. It’s found naturally in prairies and savannas and in disturbed sandy or gravelly areas beside paths, roads, fields and fields. It likes hot, dry locations in full sun and grows best in gravelly loams or sandy soils. You can grow it in poor or infertile soil, plus it will persevere through drought and air pollution.

Flowers

• Purple love grass grows loose, open clusters of reddish-purple flowers that form airy clouds that seem to float above the grass. The clusters of flowers grow up to 15 inches long and 12 inches wide and are often taller than the rest of the plant. The flowers slowly lose color and turn brown by early fall, but while their colors are fresh and vibrant, you can use them for cut flowers or dry them for dried flower arrangements.

Reproduction

• As the seeds in the flowers mature, the clusters detach from the plant. They spread their seeds as the wind sends them tumbling along the ground. The seeds are commercially available. Purple love grass also spreads by underground stems called rhizomes. You can propagate it by dividing its clumps in the spring.

Planting Seeds

• If you don’t want dried clusters to spread seeds, simply remove them. If you want to sow their seeds, which are small, take care not to inadvertently dump them in one spot. Cover them with 1/4 inch of soil and keep them moist but not soggy. They should germinate in three to four weeks. If they don’t, refrigerate them for two to four weeks. This is called stratification and mimics winter conditions.