Crabgrass (Digitaria radicosa)
Care, watering, light and tips for Crabgrass on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Poaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Crabgrass
Digitaria radicosa, commonly known as Trailing Crabgrass, is an annual grass from the Poaceae family, characterized by its creeping stems that can root at the nodes. It features lanceolate leaves and a digitate spike inflorescence. While often considered a weed in gardens and lawns, its dense growth habit can be useful for soil stabilization in disturbed areas.
Native range
Tropical and subtropical Africa, and Asia
Care tips
This species thrives in full sun in well-drained soils and is not demanding regarding nutrients, adapting to a wide range of conditions. It requires moderate watering but can tolerate periods of drought once established. To control it in lawns, prevention with pre-emergent herbicides or manual removal before it produces seeds is crucial. Avoid leaving bare soil areas, as this encourages its germination.
How to save a dying Crabgrass
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or pale leaves, stunted growth, or general wilting. Its rapid spread stops.
- First aid
- Improve soil drainage and reduce watering. Consider a specific herbicide if it's a weed.
- What kills it
- Excessive moisture or compacted soils, as it's a weed of dry, disturbed areas.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if excess moisture is corrected or treated in time. It's very resilient.