Eragrostis curvula aka African Love Grass

Eragrostis curvula is a perennial grass in the Poaceae family. Its common names include African lovegrass and weeping love grass. It comes from Africa, from Cameroon to Eritrea and South Africa. It grows in grassland, woodland, and on rocky slopes. It also grows beside roads and on disturbed ground. People grow it for pasture, soil control, and garden use.

The plant forms thick clumps with fine, drooping leaves. Garden plants reach about 2–5 feet [0.6–1.5 metres] tall. They spread about 2–3.3 feet [0.6–1 metre] wide. Green stems stand upright and have no branches. They bear hairs and grow close together within the clump. The rough, narrow leaves reach 2 feet [0.6 metres] long. Their edges may curl inward, with long hairs near the base. Summer leaves are green, while winter leaves may turn yellow or bronze. The RHS describes the foliage as deciduous.

Flower heads arch above the leaves from June to August. These open panicles look grey-green or pale lavender-grey. Each head holds many spikelets, with up to 15 flowers each. A single panicle can yield about 1,000 seeds. Brown fruits are caryopses, the dry grains made by grasses. They appear in autumn and may remain through winter. Wind carries pollen, and the plant can also form seeds through apomixy.

Grow it in a warm, sunny place with good drainage. It also tolerates some shade, though sources favour full sun. Sandy loam suits it well, but it can grow in clay. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Sources differ on fertility, from low to moderate. It tolerates drought, but also grows in moist, well-drained soil. The RHS rates it H3 and suggests winter cover in colder places. NC State lists USDA zones 6–9, a broader cold-hardiness range. Cut old stems to ground level before spring growth starts. Sow seed in spring or divide clumps in early summer.

Its fine leaves and arching flowers suit beds and informal gardens. The RHS also lists coastal gardens and cut-flower use. Deep roots help hold soil on terraces and along water channels. People use the grass for baskets, brooms, hats, ropes, and candles. Cooked seeds serve as grain, though its food-use rating is low. Sources report no known hazards and no known medicinal uses. The RHS reports few pest or disease problems. Yet NC State warns that it spreads fast and seeds freely. It is invasive in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and South Carolina. This spread can make upkeep demanding despite its few health problems.