Skip to content

Tender Fountain Grass

Pennisetum Setaceum

Design with this plant

Overview

Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) is an ornamental perennial boasting graceful fountains of slender burgundy-purple plumes and fine, arching green foliage. It reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet with a similar spread, adding texture and motion to garden landscapes. Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant once established, it's ideal for warm climates in USDA zones 9-11, but considered invasive in some areas – check local guidelines.

Sun FullWater Low, Very LowZones 7–10Climate Arid, Mediterranean
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — airy texture to the landscape

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Low, Very Low
USDA zones
7–10

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Scrophulariaceae
Climate
Arid, Mediterranean

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (56)

Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil; these inflorescences can reach lengths of 8 to 12 inches and make
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — grass for full
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — It reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet with a similar spread, adding texture and motion to garden landscapes; it's
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — Drought-tolerant once established; as the plant remains visually appealing even as the blooms mature and
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — it's ideal for warm climates in USDA zones 9-11; grass for full
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — more commonly known as Tender Fountain Grass; fountain Grass is quite drought-tolerant
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — but considered invasive in some areas ‚Äì check local guidelines; airy texture to the landscape
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — These inflorescences can reach lengths of 8 to 12 inches and make excellent cut flowers; grass with purple blooms
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — airy texture to the landscape; or serves as an eye-catching specimen plant
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — this semi-evergreen perennial is best suited for USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11; drought-tolerant once
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — which soar above the foliage and exhibit a rosy-hue to purplish color; deadheading is not necessary
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — thriving in full sun to part shade conditions; which soar above the foliage and exhibit a rosy-hue to purplish
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — The plant blooms from mid-summer into the fall; more commonly known as Tender Fountain Grass
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — with peak visual interest occurring when the plumes are fully developed, image 38
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — Fountain Grass is quite drought-tolerant; creates dramatic groupings
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — making it a low-maintenance option for xeriscapes or dry gardens; thrives in full sun and well-drained soil
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — Regular watering will, however, promote the most vigorous growth; thriving in full sun to part shade conditions
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — Deadheading is not necessary; regular watering will, however, promote the most vigorous growth
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — as the plant remains visually appealing even as the blooms mature and dry.<br><br>In the garden; purple flowers
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — Pennisetum setaceum serves as an excellent backdrop for lower-growing perennial flowers; but considered invasive
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — this species has been identified as invasive; it reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet with a similar spread, adding
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — or serves as an eye-catching specimen plant; pennisetum setaceum serves as an excellent backdrop for
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — creates dramatic groupings; the plant blooms from mid-summer into the fall
Tender Fountain Grass (Pennisetum Setaceum) — purple flowers in the garden; this semi-evergreen perennial is best suited for USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11

Related plants

Spiked Speedwell (Veronica Spicata) — Spiked Speedwell (Veronica spicata) is a charming perennial

Spiked Speedwell

Veronica Spicata

Full · Zones 3–8

Streamside Monkey Flower (Mimulus Guttatus) — offering vibrant yellow blooms with splotched throats from late spring to fall

Streamside Monkey Flower

Mimulus Guttatus

Shade · Zones 9–10

Shellflower, Turtlehead (Chelone Lyonii) — Chelone lyonii, commonly known as Shellflower or Turtlehead, is a perennial that thrives in USDA zones 3-8

Shellflower, Turtlehead

Chelone Lyonii

Full · Zones 3–9

Sticky Monkey Flower (Mimulus Aurantiacus) — The Sticky Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus) offers vibrant beauty with its trumpet-shaped

Sticky Monkey Flower

Mimulus Aurantiacus

Full · Zones 9–10

Bush Beardtongue (Keckiella Brevifolia) — commonly known as Bush Beardtongue

Bush Beardtongue

Keckiella Brevifolia

Full · Zones 10–11

Nemesia (Nemesia Caerulea) — commonly known as Nemesia

Nemesia

Nemesia Caerulea

Full · Zones 3–10