African feather grass (Pennisetum macrourum)
African feather grass (Pennisetum macrourum) is a grass plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant African feather grass (Pennisetum macrourum).
This plant is commonly known as African feather grass.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: African feather grass
Scientific name: Pennisetum macrourum
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Coastal, Informal Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant African feather grass (Pennisetum macrourum) – JonRichfield, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other types of Pennisetum to consider:
See all Pennisetum
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant African feather grass (Pennisetum macrourum), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
African feather grass (Pennisetum macrourum) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Pennisetum macrourum likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
African feather grass (Pennisetum macrourum) should be grown in full sun places.
