Feathertop (Pennisetum villosum)

Feathertop (Pennisetum villosum) is a grass plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Feathertop (Pennisetum villosum).

This plant is commonly known as feathertop.

This is a deciduous plant that takes 1-2 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: feathertop
Scientific name: Pennisetum villosum
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Tufted
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Informal Garden, Wildflower meadow
Planting type: Cut Flowers, Flower borders and bedding
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit

Seasonal colors

How to plant Feathertop (Pennisetum villosum) – Magnus Manske, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

[yarpp template=”yarpp-template-genus” require_tax='{“genus”: 1}’]

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Feathertop (Pennisetum villosum), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Feathertop (Pennisetum villosum) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.

• The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.

• 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.

• 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 villosum likes to grow in well drained soil.

Sunlight

Feathertop (Pennisetum villosum) should be grown in full sun places.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Feathertop (Pennisetum villosum) – Dinkum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons