Chinese fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

Chinese fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) is a grass plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide.

This plant has several common names including: Chinese fountain grass, Chinese pennisetum, fountain grass or swamp foxtail grass.

This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: Chinese fountain grass, Chinese pennisetum, fountain grass, swamp foxtail grass
Scientific name: Pennisetum alopecuroides
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Coastal, Informal Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding

Seasonal colors

How to plant Chinese fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) – Dominicus Johannes Bergsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cultivation profiles – Growing Chinese fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) – Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons