Also known as Fountain Grass · 1.2k gardener saves
Pennisetum: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Pennisetum, the genus most gardeners know as fountain grass. We track 23 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Pennisetum varieties
Of 23 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedDwarf Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny'
#2 most savedDwarf Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
#3 most savedKarley Rose Fountain Grass
Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose'
Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Pauls Giant'
Ginger Love Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Ginger Love'
Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Piglet'
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Piglet'
Oriental Fountain Grass
Pennisetum orientale
Fountain Grass 'Fox Trot'
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Fox Trot'
Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Foxtail Grass Lemon Squeeze
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Lemon Squeeze'
Tall Tails Oriental Fountain Grass
Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails'
Little Honey Dwarf Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Honey'
Browse all 23 Pennisetum varieties →
How to grow Pennisetum
What the Pennisetum varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 23 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Pennisetum year
- DivideMarch and April78% of varieties
Divide large, crowded clumps every 3-4 years in early spring.
- PruneJanuary and February70% of varieties
Cut back old foliage to 4-6 inches before new growth starts in late winter
- PlantMarch–May43% of varieties
Plant transplants after the danger of frost has passed
- FertilizeMay35% 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
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and apply insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Webbing and speckled leaves | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Rust | Orange pustules on leaves | Remove affected foliage and apply fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Fungal leaf spot | Brown or black spots on leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
Making more Pennisetum
Division
- Dig up mature clump in early spring
- Divide into smaller sections with roots intact
- Replant immediately in prepared soil
- Water thoroughly and mulch
Seeds
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
- Keep soil consistently moist during germination
- Thin seedlings to proper spacing after emergence
- Transplant when established
Pennisetum questions
How many types of Pennisetum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 23 distinct Pennisetum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.2k real gardener saves — 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.
Keep exploring
More on Pennisetum
Pennisetum shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Pennisetum in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
