Grow fountain grass in full sun and soil that drains. Purple fountain grass is the tender kind.
Give it full sun and soil that drains
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Full sun, at least six hours | Do not site it in shade that stops bloom |
| Soil | Garden soil that drains after rain | Do not leave the crown in a soggy pocket |
| Water | Water a new plant; then let the top dry | Do not leave standing water around the crown |
| Feed | Little or none | Do not dump heavy fertilizer that makes stems flop |
| Deer | Hardy fountain grass is usually left alone | Do not treat millet or feathertop as deer-proof |
Fountain grass is a warm-season clump. Give it full sun and well-drained soil. Once the roots take, it tolerates dry spells. Shade cuts bloom. Soil that stays wet around the crown leads to rot. [1] [2] [3] Hameln and Burgundy Bunny want that same sun. African purple fountain grass can seed into desert and roadside ground in parts of the West and South — do not plant it at a wild edge. [4] Pick a kind on Types of Fountain Grass. Set a new clump on Planting Fountain Grass. A patio pot you can move is on Fountain Grass in Pots.
Does fountain grass need full sun?
Yes. Give it at least six hours. Shade makes the clump bloom poorly and look thin.
How often should I water fountain grass?
Water a new plant until it roots. After that, water when the top is dry. Do not leave the crown in standing water.
Cut the old stems to a few inches in late winter
Leave the tan stems through winter. They hold some shape in snow. Cut them before new green blades mix with the old straw. Fountain grass is slow to green in spring, so you have time after the last hard freeze.
- Leave last year's stems standing until late winter.
- Cut the clump to a few inches above the crown, before new blades show. Hedge shears work; tie the clump first if it is bulky.
- Haul the cut stems off. Do not leave ripe seed heads where they can blow into a meadow.
- If the center has already opened into a ring, split the clump the same spring on Planting Fountain Grass rather than hoping a cut will fill it.
When should I cut back fountain grass?
Late winter or very early spring, before new green blades appear. Do not wait until the new growth is mixed with the old straw.
Can I cut fountain grass in fall?
You can, but you lose winter stems and you expose the crown. Cut in late winter unless seed drop is a local problem and you need the plumes off sooner.
Not maiden grass — and not pampas grass
Maiden grass is Miscanthus — see How to Grow Miscanthus. Those late silver plumes sit on taller canes. Pampas grass is Cortaderia — see How to Grow Pampas Grass. It is a much larger plume plant with saw-edged leaves. Fountain grass is Pennisetum. Confirm the Latin on the tag.
Is fountain grass the same as maiden grass?
No. Fountain grass is Pennisetum. Maiden grass is Miscanthus. They are not interchangeable plants.
If the clump flopped or bloomed poorly, move it into more sun and stop watering a wet crown.
FAQ
Is fountain grass now called Cenchrus?
Many botanists now file these plants under Cenchrus. Nursery tags still say Pennisetum. Care is the same either way.
Will purple fountain grass come back after frost?
Usually not, except in frost-free gardens. Treat purple fountain grass as a summer annual, or pick a hardy kind on Types of Fountain Grass.
Does it get pests?
Serious pests are uncommon. Brown leaf tips usually mean drought. A mushy crown usually means the soil stayed wet. Fix sun and drain before looking for a spray.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension -
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/fountain-grass-pennisetum-alopecuroides/ - [2] NC State Extension Gardener -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cenchrus-alopecuroides/ - [3] University of Illinois Extension -
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/plantdetail.cfm?PlantID=614&PlantTypeID=3 - [4] NC State Extension Gardener -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cenchrus-setaceus/
This note is part of Pennisetum Guides.
More first-season notes by plant are gathered in How to Grow Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors