Chinese pennisetum
Cenchrus alopecuroides · Poaceae
The gardener's calendar
Chinese pennisetum is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Common name
- Fountain grass
- Family
- Poaceae (grasses)
- Plant type
- Ornamental grass
- Adult height
- Approximately 90 cm
- Foliage
- Deciduous, tender green turning bronze in autumn
- Flowering
- August to September, fluffy and feathery spikelets
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Moderate, temperate to warm climate
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Cenchrus alopecuroides loves sun and very well-drained soil; mulch with gravel rather than rich compost.
The common mistake
Planting it in heavy clay-damp soil: in winter it rots at the base and disappears.
The pro's trick
Divide it every 4 years in spring (April): young plants restart more vigorously and recover their original compact habit.
Care
Exposure
Install this grass in full sun for optimal growth and denser, more colorful inflorescences. A very sunny location (6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight) also promotes better development of golden foliage in autumn. Avoid shade, which would make the clump more airy and less ornamental.
Watering
Fountain grass tolerates drought well once established; water regularly during the first year to encourage rooting. Afterwards, limit water inputs except during periods of intense heat or prolonged drought. In oceanic or rainy temperate climates, natural rainfall is usually sufficient.
Soil
This grass adapts to most soils as long as they drain well; it tolerates poor, sandy or gravelly soils. Avoid waterlogged or dense clay soils, which promote rhizome rot. Adding coarse compost at planting time improves drainage.
Pruning and cleaning
Clean up faded inflorescences in late autumn or early winter to encourage new stems to emerge in spring. Cut the clump back to 10-15 cm from the ground in late winter or early spring, before growth resumes. A leaf comb or hedge trimmer set high makes this task easier without damaging new buds.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is necessary for this undemanding plant. A light application of well-decomposed compost in spring is enough to maintain soil fertility. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which would make the clump too loose and reduce hardiness.
Diseases and pests
Fountain grass is generally very robust and seldom affected by diseases. Excess winter moisture can cause root rot; improve drainage if needed. No major pests regularly affect it in temperate climates.
Did you know?
Cenchrus alopecuroides is native to tropical and subtropical Asia, where its feathery and supple inflorescences serve as traditional ornaments in gardens. Its common name 'fountain grass' evokes the resemblance of its spikes to delicate plumes, giving it the graphic charm highly prized in contemporary gardening for ornamental grass compositions.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Tufted hair grassDeschampsia cespitosa
- Wavy hair-grassAvenella flexuosa
- Purple moor-grassMolinia caerulea
- Reed canary-grassPhalaris arundinacea
- Common quaking grassBriza media
- Creeping soft-grassHolcus mollis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.