Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'
A dramatic ornamental grass with burgundy-purple foliage and showy bottlebrush plumes that add tropical flair to any garden. Fast-growing and heat-loving, this grass creates stunning focal points and combines beautifully with colorful annuals.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
8–11
USDA hardiness
Height
3.5 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Purple Fountain Grass in USDA Zone 8
All Zone 8 grass →Zone Map
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Purple Fountain Grass · Zones 8–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Height: Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet. Spread: Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet. Sun: Sun: Full sun to part shade. Water: Water: Medium. Zones: Zone: 9 to 10. Bloom time: Bloom Time: July to October. Maintenance: Maintenance: Low.
Harvesting
Bloom time: Bloom Time: July to October
History & Origin
Family: Family: Poaceae
Advantages
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and aphids while adding complementary orange and yellow colors
Salvia
Similar water and sun requirements, creates beautiful color contrast with purple spikes
Sedum
Drought-tolerant succulent that complements grass texture and requires similar low maintenance
Black-eyed Susan
Shares similar growing conditions and blooms complement purple grass plumes
Lavender
Both are drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and create attractive textural contrast
Coneflowers
Native perennials with similar sun and drainage needs, attract beneficial pollinators
Ornamental Kale
Cool-season annual that provides fall color contrast when grass is at peak beauty
Russian Sage
Drought-tolerant perennial with silvery foliage that highlights purple grass color
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Produce juglone toxin that can stunt growth and cause yellowing of ornamental grasses
Mint
Aggressive spreading nature can overwhelm and crowd out ornamental grass root systems
Impatiens
Require consistently moist soil and shade, opposite of purple fountain grass drought tolerance needs
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good disease resistance
Common Pests
Few pest issues
Diseases
Root rot in waterlogged soils