Purple Fountain Grass

Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'

Growth Potential

Height: 3–5 feet.

Width: 2–4 feet.

Purple Fluffy Grass- Annual

One of the most popular ornamental grasses for adding instant drama. It features striking burgundy-purple foliage and arched, fuzzy flower spikes that resemble cattails. It provides exceptional movement and color contrast against green-foliaged plants.

Best Area to Plant

Key Features:

  • Location:  Centerpiece of large containers, focal points in flower beds, or massed for a bold color block.

  • Placement: Best used in seasonal “refresh” designs where high-impact color is needed from spring through the first frost. Place it where backlighting from the sun can catch the purple plumes.

Produces bottlebrush-like, feathery plumes that emerge purplish-pink in summer and gracefully fade to tan by fall.

Care Instructions

  • Light:

    Full sun is required to maintain the deep purple color; foliage will turn green in too much shade.

  • Water:

    Moderate. It is quite drought-tolerant once established but performs best with regular watering.

  • Soil:

    Good drainage various soil types

  • Pruning:

    No deadheading required. Since it is not winter-hardy in North/Central Texas, most homeowners remove it after the first hard freeze and replant in the spring.