Bigtop love grass is a native perennial, ornamental in the grass family (Poaceae) that is native to eastern United States including North Carolina. It can be found from Maryland south to Florida and west to Texas growing in sandy, clay, loam soils. At maturity, it can reach a height of 40 inches with a wide spread. It thrives on the coastal plain and in disturbed areas such as along roadsides and fields. The genus name comes from the Greek words eros meaning love and agrostis meaning grass. The species name is derived from the Greek word 'hirsutus', meaning somewhat hairy Bigtop love grass does best in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. The plants do well in sandy soils and, once established, have some drought tolerance. Plants will self-seed in optimum growing conditions. To encourage growth, cut back the foliage to the ground in late winter to early spring. Propagate by division in early spring. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Native Plant; Ornamental Grasses and Sedges; Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Erect
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Narrow green whispy leaves are 10 to 24 inches long and may have basal hairs. The blades are flat to loosely curved. Margins are rough to the touch.
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Green; Purple/Lavender
Flower form
Panicle
Flower detail
Panicles are 10 to 30 inches long with spikelets along the inflorescences' main and side branches. Spikelets have 2 to 4 florets that are green to purplish in color. Blooms from mid-Summer into Fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Stem detail
Stems erect and tufted.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Central and southeastern United States and Mexico.
Distribution
Massachusetts south to Florida and west to Texas. Southeastern and Northeastern Mexico.