Poaceae
Digitaria (Crabgrass) Care Guide
Digitaria
Digitaria species are fast, easy-care warm-season grasses that thrive with minimal intervention. Give them full sun, well-draining sandy or loamy soil, and only occasional water once established — they are highly drought tolerant and actually perform best in lean, unfertilized soil. As annuals or short-lived perennials, most species complete their life cycle by producing abundant seed in summer and fall, then die back with the first frost (in temperate climates) or persist as perennial clumps in frost-free regions.
Every 10 days
Direct sun
10° - 35°C
30% - 70%
Categories
What is Crabgrass?
Crabgrass (Digitaria) is a easy-care plant from the Poaceae family. Digitaria is a large genus of annual and perennial grasses in the family Poaceae, comprising roughly 300 species found across tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions worldwide. The genus name comes from the Latin "digitus" (finger), referring to the finger-like arrangement of the flowering...
Crabgrass grows up to 60cm, spread of 45cm, watering every 10 days, 10°C – 35°C, 30–70% humidity. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Crabgrass tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Crabgrass is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Crabgrass?
TLDR: Crabgrass needs Direct sun, watering every 10 days, and temperatures between 10-35°C with 30-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Crabgrass?
Water only during establishment; once rooted, Digitaria is drought tolerant and needs supplemental water only during extended dry spells.
How Much Light Does Crabgrass Need?
Provide full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct light daily) for the best growth, seed set, and disease resistance.
What Is the Best Soil for Crabgrass?
Tolerates poor, sandy, or compacted soils; avoid rich, heavily fertilized, or constantly moist soil, which favors disease and weak growth.
What Pot Should You Use for Crabgrass?
Not typically grown in pots; where cultivated as fonio grain, use open field rows in loose, sandy soil.
What Is Crabgrass and Where Does It Come From?
Digitaria is a large genus of annual and perennial grasses in the family Poaceae, comprising roughly 300 species found across tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions worldwide. The genus name comes from the Latin "digitus" (finger), referring to the finger-like arrangement of the flowering spikes that radiate from a central point atop each stem. Most species are low-growing and sprawling, rooting readily at the nodes where stems touch the soil, which gives them a crab-like spreading habit and the common name "crabgrass." While several species, such as Digitaria sanguinalis (large crabgrass) and Digitaria ischaemum (smooth crabgrass), are considered aggressive lawn and garden weeds valued for their toughness and drought tolerance, others are cultivated purposefully: Digitaria exilis (white fonio) and Digitaria iburua (black fonio) are ancient West African cereal crops, among the oldest cultivated grains in the world, prized for their fast maturation and ability to thrive in poor, dry soils.
How to Propagate Crabgrass?
Seed sowing
Digitaria germinates readily once soil temperatures exceed roughly 15-18C; for weedy species, pre-emergent control is more effective than trying to remove established plants.
- 1 Scatter seed directly onto prepared, well-draining soil in spring once soil has warmed
- 2 Rake lightly to ensure seed-to-soil contact, covering no deeper than 6mm
- 3 Keep soil lightly moist until germination, which occurs quickly in warm conditions
- 4 Thin seedlings if grown for grain production to improve airflow and yield
Materials needed:
How Big Does Crabgrass Grow?
TLDR: Crabgrass can reach up to 60cm tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
60cm
Spread
45cm
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Deciduous
Plant Uses
Edible
Can be consumed
Ground Cover
Soil coverage
Culinary Uses
- Grain (Digitaria exilis / fonio) used for porridge, couscous, flour, and fermented beverages; seeds can also be popped like popcorn
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Crabgrass?
TLDR: Crabgrass is susceptible to 3 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot is a common fungal disease caused by various pathogens including Alternaria, Ascochyta, Colletotrichum, Septoria, and Venturia. It primarily affects leaves, causing discolored spots that can lead to premature leaf drop if left untreated.
Damping Off
Damping off is a soil-borne fungal disease that affects seeds and young seedlings, causing rotting of stem and root tissues at and below the soil line. It is caused by several fungi including Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, and Phytophthora. The disease thrives in cold, wet conditions with poor air circulation.
Meaning & Symbolism
A resilient, prolific grass often associated with adaptability, persistence, and survival against the odds; in parts of West Africa, Digitaria exilis (fonio) symbolizes sustenance and ancestral agricultural tradition, sometimes called "the seed of the universe" by the Dogon people of Mali.
Fun Facts
The genus name Digitaria comes from the Latin word for "finger," describing its finger-like flower spikes
Fonio (Digitaria exilis) is considered one of the oldest cultivated cereal crops in Africa, with a history dating back thousands of years
Crabgrass seeds can remain viable in soil for several years, allowing new plants to sprout long after the parent plant has died
A single crabgrass plant can produce thousands of seeds in one growing season
Frequently asked questions
Is Digitaria the same as crabgrass?
Is Digitaria edible?
How do you control crabgrass in a lawn?
Does Digitaria need a lot of water?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Muriel's Bamboo | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
