How to Grow & Care for Fountain Grass
Add texture and structure to the landscape with this stunning ornamental grass.
Prairie Winds® 'Desert Plains' fountain grass. Photo by: Proven Winners
Fountain grass (Pennisetum) is a warm-season ornamental grass native to tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions across the globe. This attractive plant is characterized by an upright clumping habit, elegant cascading foliage, and showy bottlebrush plumes. The foliage and flower spikes wave in the slightest breeze, adding movement, texture, and structure to beds, borders and containers.
“Perennial grasses are instrumental when designing durable landscapes that require little maintenance. They are also used frequently by designers looking to create sustainable landscapes that support and sustain wildlife,” says Susan Martin of Proven Winners.
This versatile plant thrives in full sun, heat and humidity, and is low maintenance once established. Because Pennisetum is not native to the U.S., some varieties may be invasive in certain regions, so care should be taken when selecting and using fountain grass in your garden. Here’s how to grow and use fountain grass in your yard.
On this page: Basics | Types | Planting | Care | Varieties | Frequently Asked Questions | Design Ideas
- BASICS
- TYPES OF FOUNTAIN GRASS
- HOW TO PLANT FOUNTAIN GRASS
- FOUNTAIN GRASS CARE
- FOUNTAIN GRASS VARIETIES
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- DESIGN IDEAS FOR FOUNTAIN GRASS
BASICS
Botanical name:
Pennisetum spp.
Common names:
Fountain grass, Oriental fountain grass, pennisetum
Plant type:
Hardy perennial or tender perennial (sometimes grown as an annual)
Zones:
5-11, depending on the variety
Exposure:
Full sun
Habit:
Upright, arching, mounding, or dwarf habit
Mature size:
1 to 8 feet tall, 1 to 4 feet wide
Bloom time:
Summer to fall
Foliage:
Slender grassy leaves occur in colors of green, purple, chartreuse and variegation. Some varieties have fall color.
Flowers:
Bottlebrush flower spikes grow on long thin stems above the foliage in colors of red, purple, pink, white, copper, and tan. Seed heads occur from summer into fall, and can hold on through much of the winter.
Is fountain grass deer resistant?
Deer find fountain grass distasteful for the sharp leaf edges and prickly flower heads. Though fountain grass is deer resistant, deer will eat almost any plant if they are hungry enough.
Is fountain grass poisonous?
Fountain grass is considered non-toxic to pets and children. Mild stomach distress may occur if plants are ingested in large amounts.
TYPES OF FOUNTAIN GRASS
There are two types of fountain grass:
- Annual varieties come in a range of colors and grow quickly, adding a dramatic touch to beds and containers.
- Perennial varieties come back reliably from year to year, providing long-lasting color.
Prairie Winds® ‘Lemon Squeeze’ fountain grass. Photo by: Proven Winners
“The unique thing with ‘Lemon Squeeze’ is its foliage—it has that chartreuse green foliage, so even before its vast beauty of plumes emerges, the foliage really stands out in full sun gardens.”
Comparing Ornamental Grasses, Heidi Grassman, Garden Crossings.
WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW TO PLANT FOUNTAIN GRASS
When to plant:
Wait until all danger of frost is past in your area. Annual types are more cold-sensitive and may not appear in garden centers until late spring. Perennial fountain grass can also be planted in fall, at least 6 to 8 weeks before the average first frost date in your area.
Where to plant:
Plant fountain grass in a site with well-drained soil that receives 6 to 8 hours of full sun per day.
Soil:
Fountain grass can tolerate different soils but prefers amended soil with good drainage. Plants do best in a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Compacted or clay soil with poor drainage can lead to root rot.
Planting:
Loosen soil in the planting area and amend with compost or other rich organic matter to add nutrients and improve drainage. Dig a hole twice as wide and slightly shallower than the root ball. Remove the grass from its nursery pot and gently tease out roots if potbound. Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level or slightly higher than the surrounding soil. Fill in the planting hole with soil and gently tamp down to remove air pockets. Water plants regularly until established.
Spacing:
Space plants 1 to 4 feet apart, depending on the variety and mature size.
FOUNTAIN GRASS CARE
Watering:
Fountain grass performs best with regular water. After established, allow plants to dry out slightly between watering and irrigate when the soil is dry 2 inches deep. Overwatering can cause root rot or other diseases. Water more often during prolonged heat and dry spells.
Amendments and fertilizer:
Plants need little or no supplemental fertilizer. Place a thin layer of compost around the base of plants in spring to add nutrients, suppress weeds, and retain moisture.
Pruning:
For perennial varieties, cut back the previous season’s growth in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Varieties with no winter interest can be cut back in fall. To prune plants, tie the foliage into a bunch with string. Use sharp pruning shears and cut plants back 4 to 6 inches above the soil.
Dividing:
Perennial fountain grass can be divided to help restore vigor and encourage lush new growth. “Though they are a bit slower to mature, most perennial grasses are very long-lived and look better every year as they mature into large clumps.They offer greater value in that they can be divided every few years and spread to other places in the landscape,” says Martin.
Divide in spring when plants are actively growing. Dig plants out of the ground and cut the root ball into several smaller pieces with pruners, a sharp knife or saw. Amend soil with organic matter and replant. Water thoroughly.
Winter care:
In colder climates, perennial fountain grass may need winter protection. Before the ground freezes, cut back plants to several inches above the ground. Mulch the crown with a several inch layer of leaves or other organic matter to insulate from freeze-thaw cycles, which can heave plants out of the ground.
Pests and diseases:
When grown in the right conditions, Pennisetum is resilient to most pests and diseases. Pests can include aphids, caterpillars, grasshoppers, scale, and spider mites. Possible diseases include leaf blight, leaf spot, mosaic virus, root rot, and rust.
GROWING FOUNTAIN GRASS IN POTS
When planting fountain grass in containers, follow these tips:
- Use a container large enough to accommodate the roots. Choose a pot at least 4 to 8 inches wider than the root ball to allow for 2 to 3 years of growth. After 2 to 3 years, plants may need a bigger container.
- Make sure containers have adequate drainage holes in the bottom.
- Use a high quality all-purpose potting mix.
- When planting fountain grass, place in the pot so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil and sitting 1 inch below the rim of the pot.
- Plants in containers will need more watering than those in the ground, as pots dry out more quickly. Wait until the top 2 inches of soil is dry before watering, but do not let the root ball dry out completely. Irrigate until water comes out of the drainage holes in the bottom. Pots may need watering as much as once a day during heat and dry spells.
FOUNTAIN GRASS VARIETIES
Photo by: Proven Winners
Graceful Grasses® Vertigo® Purple Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven Winners
Pennisetum purpureum
Zones: 8-11; most often grown as an annual
Habit Upright habit
Height/spread: 4 to 8 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Bloom time: Flowers are insignificant
Color: Purple-black foliage
This warm-season grass, most often treated as an annual, is grown for the large architectural structure and stunning dark purple foliage. Plants grow quickly to reach their full mature size, up to 8 feet tall. Mass in a border alongside tropicals such as canna lilies, elephant ears and coleus, or use as an eye-catching focal point in a container or bed.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Graceful Grasses® Purple Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven Winners
Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'
Zones: 9-11; most often grown as an annual
Habit Upright arching habit
Height/spread: 30 to 36 inches tall, 12 to 24 inches wide
Bloom time: Summer through fall
Color: Bronze-purple foliage, burgundy-pink flowers
Purple fountain grass is a popular ornamental grass often grown as an annual. Deep bronze-purple foliage is complemented by arching seed heads that start out burgundy-pink, aging to tan for a two-toned effect. This versatile medium-sized variety can be grown in containers, mass plantings, or mixed borders.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Graceful Grasses® ‘Fireworks’ Variegated Red Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven Winners
Pennisetum setaeum
Zones: 9-11; often grown as an annual
Habit Upright habit
Height/spread: 24 to 30 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Color: Pink and green foliage, burgundy-purple flowers
‘Fireworks’ produces dark green foliage with pink margins and long arching seed heads in shades of burgundy for a stunning effect in the landscape. Often grown as an annual, use this variegated variety as a focal point in a container or bed, or combine with other annuals such as potato vine, dichondra, lantana, and calibrachoa.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Graceful Grasses® ‘Sky Rocket’ Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven Winners
Pennisetum setaeum
Zones: 9-11; often grown as an annual
Habit Upright arching habit
Height/spread: 24 to 30 inches tall, 16 to 20 inches wide
Bloom time: Summer through fall
Color: Green and white foliage, tan-white flowers
This variety has fine green foliage with a white margin and smoky pink seed heads for a subdued effect. The neutral foliage color pairs well with most other plants, adding classic elegance to a container, border, or mass planting.
“Sky Rocket is a new favorite of mine—a variegated grass—wow, that thing’s gorgeous,” says Rick Vuyst, co-host of the Gardening Simplified podcast.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Prairie Winds® ‘Lemon Squeeze’ Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven Winners
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Zones: 5-9
Habit Mounding arching habit
Height/spread: 30 to 36 inches tall, 24 to 36 inches wide
Bloom time: Late summer through fall
Color: Chartreuse-gold foliage, copper flowers
‘Lemon Squeeze’ is a cold hardy perennial fountain grass with brilliant chartreuse foliage and copper colored seed heads that appear in mid summer. Combine with complementary colors of purple, blue or pink to add a pop of contrast to containers, beds and mass plantings.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Prairie Winds® ‘Desert Plains’ Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven Winners
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Zones: 5-9
Habit Upright vase-shaped habit
Height/spread: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late summer through fall
Color: Green foliage, purple-tan flowers
This hardy perennial grass produces green foliage and large, dusky purple flowers that age to tan. The foliage acquires warm tones of red, orange and gold later in the growing season, adding brilliant fall color to the landscape.
“This is a dense grass that out-competes weeds in the landscape,” Susan Martin, Proven Winners.
Photo by: Walters Gardens, Inc.
‘Karley Rose’ Fountain Grass
Pennisetum orientale
Zones: 5-9
Habit Upright clumping habit
Height/spread: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Early summer to frost
Color: Green foliage, rose-purple flowers
This medium-sized variety is a hardy perennial with narrow green foliage and arching rose-purple flowers that age to tan. Foliage turns a soft straw color in fall and can be left for winter interest. Combine with other fall plants such as aster, Joe pye weed, goldenrod, and hydrangea. Plants are drought tolerant once established.
Photo by: SLSK Photography / Shutterstock
‘Hameln’ Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Zones: 5-9
Habit Compact clumping habit
Height/spread: 18 to 30 inches tall and wide
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
Color: Green foliage, silver-white flowers, gold fall color
‘Hameln’ is a dwarf fountain grass suitable for containers and small spaces. Plants produce fine green foliage, fluffy silver-white seed heads and brilliant golden fall color. Highlight this award-winning perennial in a container, meadow garden, or fall border with late-season plants such as coneflower, black-eyed Susan, salvia, and sedum. Plants may reseed, though not as much as the straight species.
Photo by: Galeh Kholis / Shutterstock
‘Little Bunny’ Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Zones: 5-9
Habit Compact mounding habit
Height/spread: 12 to 18 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide
Bloom time: Mid-summer to fall
Color: Green foliage, white flowers, golden fall color
This dwarf variety is one of the best for small yards. The green foliage turns golden in fall, fading to a tawny beige for winter interest in the landscape. Creamy white flowers appear from mid-summer to late summer, holding on into fall. Use in containers, mass plantings, rock gardens, and fall borders.
Photo by: Hort Pics / Millette Photomedia
‘Puppy Love’ Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Zones: 5-9
Habit Upright arching habit
Height/spread: 2-1/2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late summer into fall
Color: Green foliage with burgundy accents, dark red flowers
This medium-sized perennial grass has dark green foliage with burgundy accents. Showy reddish brown seed heads 6 to 8 inches long are held upright on sturdy stems. Add soft texture and structure to beds, mass plantings, containers, and fall borders. Deadhead faded flowers to prevent reseeding.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is fountain grass invasive?
Pennisetum can self-sow and is considered invasive in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, and Nevada. Some varieties are more invasive than others. If you live in a warmer region, switch out fountain grass for non-invasive ornamental grasses such as switchgrass, prairie dropseed, Pink Muhly grass, big bluestem, and Mendocino reed grass.
Can fountain grass survive winter?
Varieties such as purple fountain grass are tender perennials that won’t survive the winter in most growing zones. These are most often grown as annuals. Species including Pennisetum alopecuroides and P. orientale are hardy, surviving winters in most areas.
Does fountain grass come back every year?
Fountain grass can be an annual or perennial, depending on the type and growing zone. Hardy species will come back from year to year.
What are the downsides of fountain grass?
Fountain grass may re-seed in some regions, displacing native species and garden plants. Caution should be taken when handling the razor-like foliage, which can cause injury. Fountain grass is flammable and not recommended for areas prone to wildfires.
Should fountain grass be cut down in winter?
When to prune back fountain grass is a personal choice. Some varieties have ornamental winter interest. These can be left to prune back in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. If you prefer a tidier garden, pruning can be done in fall after plants go dormant.
LANDSCAPING WITH FOUNTAIN GRASS
There are many ways to use fountain grass in your landscape. Here’s how:
For borders and landscapes: Larger varieties can be used as background elements in a border or massed in the landscape. Small to medium varieties are useful in a mixed border, meadow garden, or mass planting. Dwarf types can be used to edge wide borders and pathways.
For slopes and hillsides: Perennial varieties of fountain grass can be massed along a slope as a long-term solution to help control erosion.
For containers: Small to medium-sized varieties of fountain grass can be planted in a container by themselves, or in combination with other plants.
- Add perennial fountain grass to a meadow garden for structure, and to create movement.
- Use a larger variety such as ‘Vertigo’ as a background element in a mixed border.
- Create a tropical-themed border with fountain grasses interspersed with canna lily, elephant ears, banana, alocasia, palm, coleus, potato vine, and other warm-season annuals.
- Plant a small to medium-sized variety in a decorative planter and place on a sunny deck, patio or apartment balcony for a stunning focal point.
- Naturalize smaller varieties in a rock garden.
- Use a smaller variety in a pot as a “thriller” element alongside warm-season annuals such as lantana, calibrachoa, petunias, bidens, verbena, and sweet potato vine for captivating color all summer long.
- Plant fountain grass in a row as a living screen to divide garden areas. "If you’re looking to install a fast-growing screen in a sunny spot, perhaps for temporary coverage, a tall annual grass like Graceful Grasses® Vertigo® is definitely the way to go,” says Martin.
- Plant a fall border with perennial fountain grass and other perennials with late-season interest such as aster, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, hydrangea, Joe-pye weed, salvia, sedum, sunflower, and other ornamental grasses.
Companion plants:
Choose companions that thrive in similar growing conditions of full sun, heat, and moderate moisture.
For varieties grown as annuals, combine with warm-season annuals such as banana, canna lily, coleus, elephant ear, calibrachoa, and petunias.
For perennial varieties, combine with late-season perennials and shrubs such as aster, black-eyed Susan, butterfly bush, coneflower, daylily, goldenrod, hydrangea, Joe pye weed, roses, and sedum.
