Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) is a deciduous perennial grass in the Poaceae family. It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 90 cm (35 in) apart.
Plan Fountain grass in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Fountain grass at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 90 cm (35 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Fountain grass toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Pennisetum is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Fountain grass
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Fountain grass
- How far apart should I plant Fountain grass?
- About 90 cm (35 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Fountain grass need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fountain grass need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Fountain grass?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Fountain grass flower?
- From about July for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Fountain grass poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Pennisetum is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Fountain grass?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fountain grass. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Dry autumn foliage is highly flammable.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata
- Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Blue fescue Festuca glauca