Also known as Fountain Grass · 1.4k saves

Pennisetum

Pennisetum, the genus most gardeners know as fountain grass. We track 24 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.

24 varieties5 speciesZones 4–10Mostly full sun

The 23 most-saved Pennisetum varieties

Little Bunny Dwarf Fountain Grass#1 most saved

Little Bunny Dwarf Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny'

Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass#2 most saved

Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'

Karley Rose Fountain Grass#3 most saved

Karley Rose Fountain Grass

Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose'

Pauls Giant Fountain Grass

Pauls Giant Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Pauls Giant'

Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Piglet'

Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Piglet'

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Piglet'

Ginger Love Fountain Grass

Ginger Love Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Ginger Love'

Fountain Grass

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Foxtail Grass Lemon Squeeze

Foxtail Grass Lemon Squeeze

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Lemon Squeeze'

Fountain Grass 'Fox Trot'

Fountain Grass 'Fox Trot'

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Fox Trot'

Oriental Fountain Grass

Oriental Fountain Grass

Pennisetum orientale

Tall Tails Oriental Fountain Grass

Tall Tails Oriental Fountain Grass

Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails'

Little Honey Dwarf Fountain Grass

Little Honey Dwarf Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Honey'

Burgundy Bunny Fountain Grass

Burgundy Bunny Fountain Grass

Pennisetum setaceum 'Burgundy Bunny'

Rubrum Purple Fountain Grass

Rubrum Purple Fountain Grass

Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'

Shogun Oriental Fountain Grass

Shogun Oriental Fountain Grass

Pennisetum orientale 'Shogun'

Fireworks Fountain Grass

Fireworks Fountain Grass

Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks'

'Vertigo' Pearl Millet

'Vertigo' Pearl Millet

Pennisetum purpureum 'Vertigo'

Purple Fountain Grass

Purple Fountain Grass

Pennisetum setaceum 'Purple Fountain Grass'

Nana Dwarf Fountain Grass

Nana Dwarf Fountain Grass

Pennisetum setaceum 'Nana'

Feathertop Grass

Feathertop Grass

Pennisetum villosum

Oceanside Purple Fountain Grass

Oceanside Purple Fountain Grass

Pennisetum purpureum 'Oceanside'

Ornamental Millet 'Cherry Sparkler'

Ornamental Millet 'Cherry Sparkler'

Pennisetum glaucum 'Cherry Sparkler'

Elephant Grass

Elephant Grass

Pennisetum purpureum

Browse all 24 Pennisetum varieties →

5 species of Pennisetum

Each one is a parent of the varieties above.

Oriental Fountain Grass

Oriental Fountain Grass

Pennisetum orientale

Fountain Grass

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Fountain Grass

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum setaceum

Feathertop Grass

Feathertop Grass

Pennisetum villosum

Elephant Grass

Elephant Grass

Pennisetum purpureum

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How to grow Pennisetum

Whats common across all Pennisetum varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 24 most-grown of them.

The Pennisetum year

  • DivideMarch and April75% of varieties

    Divide large, crowded clumps every 3-4 years in early spring.

  • PruneJanuary and February67% of varieties

    Cut back old foliage to 4-6 inches before new growth starts in late winter

  • PlantMarch–May46% of varieties

    Plant transplants after the danger of frost has passed

  • FertilizeMay33% of varieties

    Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring

Do

  • Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
  • Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
  • Water during dry spells 🌱
  • Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
  • Water deeply during dry spells 🌱

Avoid

  • Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
  • Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
  • Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
  • Plant in poorly drained soil ❌

What goes wrong with Pennisetum

ProblemWhat you'll seeWhat to do
AphidsSticky residue and distorted leavesUse insecticidal soap or neem oil
Spider MitesFine webbing and speckled leavesIncrease humidity and apply insecticidal soap
Spider mitesWebbing and speckled leavesUse horticultural oil or insecticidal soap
Generally pest-freeNo significant insect damage is typicalMonitor only; no routine treatment needed
RustOrange pustules on leavesRemove affected foliage and apply fungicide
Root rotWilting and yellowing leavesImprove drainage and reduce watering
Fungal leaf spotBrown or black spots on leavesApply fungicide and improve air circulation

Making more Pennisetum

Division

  1. Dig up mature clump in early spring
  2. Divide into smaller sections with roots intact
  3. Replant immediately in prepared soil
  4. Water thoroughly and mulch

Seeds

  1. Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
  2. Keep soil consistently moist during germination
  3. Thin seedlings to proper spacing after emergence
  4. Transplant when established

Pennisetum questions

How many types of Pennisetum are there?

The Sow catalog tracks 24 distinct Pennisetum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.4k real gardeners — are shown first above.

What zones does Pennisetum grow in?

Across its varieties, Pennisetum covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.

When does Pennisetum bloom?

Most Pennisetum varieties bloom in late summer, summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.

Which Pennisetum should I choose?

Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.

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