Tender Lovegrass: What Florida Gardeners Should Know
If you’ve stumbled across the name tender lovegrass while researching grasses for your Florida garden, you’re not alone in wondering what exactly this plant is all about. Tender lovegrass (Eragrostis scaligera) is one of those plants that seems to fly under the radar, even among grass enthusiasts.
The Basics: What Is Tender Lovegrass?
Tender lovegrass is an annual grass that belongs to the large and diverse lovegrass family. You might also see it listed under its old scientific names, Eragrostis virginica or Poa virginica, which can add to the confusion when you’re trying to track down information about it.
This graminoid (that’s fancy talk for grass-like plant) is part of a group that includes not just true grasses, but also sedges, rushes, and their relatives. Think of it as being part of the extended grass family reunion.
Where Does Tender Lovegrass Grow?
In the United States, tender lovegrass has been documented growing in Florida. As a non-native species that was introduced from elsewhere, it has managed to establish itself and reproduce on its own in the wild without human intervention.
Should You Plant Tender Lovegrass?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While tender lovegrass isn’t classified as invasive or noxious (at least not that we know of), there’s also remarkably little information available about this particular species. This lack of documentation makes it difficult to recommend for home gardens.
Since tender lovegrass is non-native to Florida, you might want to consider some well-documented native alternatives instead:
- Elliott’s lovegrass (Eragrostis elliottii) – a beautiful native Florida grass
- Purple lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis) – offers lovely purple seed heads
- Weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) – though this one requires careful consideration as it can be aggressive
Growing Conditions and Care
If you do decide to work with tender lovegrass, remember that it’s an annual, meaning it completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Like most grasses, it will likely prefer:
- Full sun to partial sun exposure
- Well-draining soil
- Moderate watering (most lovegrasses are fairly drought-tolerant once established)
Keep in mind that as an annual, you’ll need to replant it each year or allow it to self-seed if you want it to return.
The Bottom Line
Tender lovegrass remains something of a mystery plant – present in Florida but not well-documented in gardening literature. While it doesn’t appear to be problematic, the lack of information makes it a bit of a gamble for home gardeners.
If you’re drawn to the lovegrass family, consider exploring the native Florida options instead. They’ll be better adapted to your local conditions, support local wildlife, and you’ll find plenty of growing information to help you succeed. Plus, your local ecosystem will thank you for choosing plants that naturally belong in your area.
Sometimes the most interesting plants are the ones that keep a low profile, but when it comes to your garden, it’s often better to go with species that have a proven track record of success.
