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Crab Grass

Digitaria sanguinalisfam. Poaceae
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edibleannualannualcerealedibleedible seedinvasivenative asia
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Digitaria sanguinalis (Crab Grass) — botanical photograph
Pl. 38C5 — Digitaria sanguinalis
Digitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalisDigitaria sanguinalis
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Overview

Crab Grass (Digitaria sanguinalis) is an annual graminoid belonging to the Poaceae family, native to a wide range of regions including Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, and many others. This plant thrives in light to moist conditions, with a preference for well-draining, sandy or medium soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. It is adaptable to various environments, growing in hardiness zones 6-9. Crab Grass is known for its edible seeds, which can be harvested for consumption and used in various dishes, adding a mild flavor. The plant reaches a height of about 0.5 meters and is often used as an ornamental element due to its distinctive growth habit. It requires full sun to partial shade and should be watered regularly to maintain moisture levels. For propagation, seeds can be sown directly into the garden bed or started indoors before transplanting. While not medicinal, Crab Grass serves as a valuable food source and ornamental plant in many regions.

Quick answers

What is Crab Grass?

Crab Grass (Digitaria sanguinalis) is an annual graminoid belonging to the Poaceae family, native to a wide range of regions including Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, and many others. This plant thrives in light to moist conditions, with a preference for well-draining, sandy or medium soil with a pH between 5.

Compare with:Barnyard Millet→Foxtail Millet→Jungle Rice→all comparisons →
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
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Cultivation

Crab Grass (Digitaria sanguinalis) thrives in light to moist conditions and prefers well-draining, sandy or medium soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. It is hardy in temperate regions from zones 6-9 and grows as an annual reaching heights of about 0.5 meters. This plant requires full sun to partial shade and should be watered regularly to maintain moisture levels. For propagation, sow seeds directly into the garden bed or start them indoors before transplanting outdoors. Harvest the edible seed heads for culinary use.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
6-9
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Graminoid
Mature size
0.5 m tall
Soil pH
5.5–6.5
For first-time growers

How to grow Crab Grass for the first time

8steps

Start with crab grass as an easy-to-grow annual, focusing on basic care and maintenance.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or seedlings, a container or garden bed, soil, water.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost, when temperatures are mild.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Use light, well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Ensure good drainage if using containers.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds in the garden or start seedlings indoors and transplant them later.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep soil consistently moist, providing about 1-2 inches of water per week. Monitor for pests and diseases.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water regularly to maintain moisture levels but avoid overwatering. Fertilize lightly if needed.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune or mow the crab grass to keep it tidy, removing any dead or yellowing leaves.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting too late in the season, not providing enough light for indoor seedlings.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:Seed
Edible uses: The crab grass plant (Digitaria sanguinalis) is edible and its seeds are typically harvested for consumption. These seeds can be eaten raw or cooked, adding a mild flavor to various dishes. They are also suitable for grinding into flour or used in soups and stews. The plant thrives in light to medium soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, making it adaptable to many growing conditions.
Other uses:Animal feedtextiles
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

71 native · 122 introduced
Distribution across4 continents· 71 native· 122 introduced
Europe22 regions
native (12)AlbaniaBulgariaCyprusFranceGreeceHungaryItalyPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainUkraine
introduced (10)AustriaBelarusBelgiumGermanyNetherlandsPolandRussiaSwedenSwitzerlandUnited Kingdom
Asia18 regions
native (17)AfghanistanBangladeshChinaIndiaIranIraqKazakhstanMaldivesPakistanPalestinePhilippinesSaudi ArabiaTaiwanTurkeyTurkmenistanUzbekistanVietnam
introduced (1)Georgia
Americas10 regions
introduced (10)BahamasColombiaCubaDominican RepublicHaitiHondurasJamaicaParaguayPuerto RicoUruguay
Africa18 regions
native (9)AlgeriaBurundiCabo VerdeChadEgyptLibyaMoroccoSudanTunisia
introduced (9)BotswanaComorosLesothoMalawiMozambiqueNamibiaTanzaniaZambiaZimbabwe
Broader regions
native:Andaman Is., Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, East Aegean Is., East Himalaya, Gulf States, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Laccadive Is., Lebanon-Syria, Nicobar Is., Sinai, South China Sea, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Turkey-in-Europe, West Himalaya, Yugoslavia
introduced:Alabama, Alberta, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Arkansas, Baltic States, Bermuda, Brazil South, British Columbia, California, Cape Provinces, Chatham Is., Chile Central, Chile North, Chile South, Colorado, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Free State, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Juan Fernández Is., Kamchatka, Kansas, Kentucky, Kermadec Is., KwaZulu-Natal, Leeward Is., Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nansei-shoto, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Norfolk Is., North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Provinces, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Panamá, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southwest Caribbean, Tasmania, Tennessee, Texas, Trinidad-Tobago, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Utah, Venezuelan Antilles, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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Specimen gallery

1 image
Digitaria sanguinalis (Crab Grass) — botanical photograph
Crab Grass (Digitaria sanguinalis)
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See also

8 related
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Explore further

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