Soft Love Grass
Eragrostis pilosa
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Pl. 88B6 — Eragrostis pilosa
Eragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosaEragrostis pilosa
IOverview
Overview
Soft Love Grass (Eragrostis pilosa) is an annual graminoid native to regions spanning from Afghanistan and Albania to Zimbabwe. It thrives in moist environments with light or medium soil, preferring a pH of 7.5–8. The plant grows up to 0.6 meters tall and is known for its edible seeds, making it valuable as a food source in its native range. Its adaptability to various climates and soils has allowed it to spread across a wide geographical area, from Europe and Asia to Africa. One distinctive feature of Soft Love Grass is its light energy requirement, with an energetic rating of 9/10, indicating its preference for ample sunlight.
Quick answers
What is Soft Love Grass?
Soft Love Grass (Eragrostis pilosa) is an annual graminoid native to regions spanning from Afghanistan and Albania to Zimbabwe. It thrives in moist environments with light or medium soil, preferring a pH of 7.5–8. The plant grows up to 0.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Soft Love Grass thrives in light to medium soils and prefers a pH of 7.5–8. It is hardy in temperate regions with zones 6-9. This annual plant requires moist conditions and can grow up to 0.6 meters tall. For optimal growth, provide plenty of sunlight; it rates light at 9/10 on the scale. Propagate by seed for best results. Ensure the soil is well-draining but consistently moist to mimic its natural habitat.
Light
9/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
6-9
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Graminoid
Mature size
0.6 m tall
Soil pH
7.5–8
For first-time growers
How to grow Soft Love Grass for the first time
8steps
Start with Soft Love Grass as an easy-to-grow annual for beginners.
- 1
What you'll need
A packet of seeds, a small container or garden bed, and some basic gardening tools like a trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, when temperatures are consistently above 10°C (50°F).
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is well-draining with a pH of 7.5–8. Amend sandy or light soils with compost to improve fertility.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the garden, covering them lightly with soil. Alternatively, start seeds indoors and transplant seedlings once they have two sets of true leaves.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Shield from strong sunlight for a few days after planting.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide light watering as needed, especially during dry spells. Fertilize with compost or well-rotted manure once in early summer.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back the grass to about 10 cm (4 inches) after flowering to encourage new growth and maintain a neat appearance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting to fertilize, and not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Seed
Edible uses: The Soft Love Grass is edible, with its seeds being the part used. Typically, the seeds are harvested and consumed raw or cooked. They can also be ground into flour for various culinary applications. Skip
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe6 regions
native (6)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBulgariaFranceRussia
Asia4 regions
native (4)BangladeshCambodiaChinaIndia
Africa8 regions
native (8)AlgeriaAngolaBeninBotswanaBurkina FasoBurundiCameroonChad
Broader regions
native:Altay, Amur, Andaman Is., Borneo, Buryatiya, Cape Provinces, Caprivi Strip, Central African Repu, Chita, Congo
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 88b6124e-db89-431b-a87d-97a39baebf96
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