Purple Fountain Grass

Pennisetum setaceum

Purple Fountain Grass is a fast-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 9-10, that matures to about 3-4 ft × 2-3 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect pink, purple and red blooms in summer and fall. It attracts songbirds, stands up well to deer and drought.

⚠ Restricted in HI, CA, AZ

A Hawaii noxious weed and a wildfire-fuel concern in the Southwest. Sterile cultivars are the safe way to grow this.

USDA zones: 9-10
Sun: Full sun, Part shade
Water: Medium
Mature size: 3-4 ft × 2-3 ft
Growth rate: Fast
Maintenance: Low
Soil: Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry
Bloom color: Pink, Purple, Red
Bloom season: Summer, Fall
Attracts: Songbirds
Tough against: Deer, Drought
Native to: Southwestern Asia, Arabian Peninsula

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score Purple Fountain Grass’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.