How much sun does Purple Crabgrass need?

Purple Crabgrass grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Purple Crabgrass bloom?

Purple Crabgrass blooms in June, July, August, and September.

Where is Purple Crabgrass native?

Purple Crabgrass (Digitaria violascens) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Purple Crabgrass HOA-friendly?

Purple Crabgrass takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Purple Crabgrass

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Digitaria violascens

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Purple Crabgrass (Digitaria violascens) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

6"–24" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, FL, GA and 7 more states

Native alternatives to Purple Crabgrass

Purple Crabgrass is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

South Central Plains Southeastern Plains Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain

Purple crabgrass is a native annual grass that forms low clumps with purplish-tinged seed heads during summer and fall. Despite being a native species, it has the same weedy appearance as common crabgrass and will die back completely in winter.

In an HOA neighborhood

Purple Crabgrass takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Name includes 'crabgrass' which has negative lawn associations
Annual nature means gaps and inconsistent appearance
Can appear weedy and unmanicured to untrained eyes

Wildlife value

The seeds provide food for ground-feeding birds and small mammals. As a native grass, it supports some specialized insects that don't use non-native turf grasses.

Common questions

How much sun does Purple Crabgrass need?: Purple Crabgrass grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Purple Crabgrass bloom?: Purple Crabgrass blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Purple Crabgrass native?: Purple Crabgrass (Digitaria violascens) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Purple Crabgrass HOA-friendly?: Purple Crabgrass takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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