Purple Fountain Grass Plant Care
Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cenchrus pedicellatus, previously Pennisetum pedicellatum, known simply as desho or as desho grass, is an indigenous grass of Ethiopia of the monocot angiosperm plant family Poaceae. It is also known as annual kyasuwa grass in Nigeria, bare in Mauritania, and deenanath grass in India.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Purple Fountain Grass?
Water Purple Fountain Grass every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Purple Fountain Grass?
Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Pennisetum genus. Purple Fountain Grass is also known as Feathertop Grass.
Purple Fountain Grass displays an upright, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Purple Fountain Grass produces showy, feathery flower spikes in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Purple Fountain Grass?
Pennisetum pedicellatum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Purple Fountain Grass Need?
Purple Fountain Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Purple Fountain Grass Prefer?
Pennisetum pedicellatum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Purple Fountain Grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Purple Fountain Grass?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Purple Fountain Grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Purple Fountain Grass?
Feed Purple Fountain Grass every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Purple Fountain Grass?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Purple Fountain Grass?
Purple Fountain Grass can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fountain grass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Purple Fountain Grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Purple Fountain Grass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Purple Fountain Grass?
Purple Fountain Grass is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, cutworms. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Purple Fountain Grass Need?
Purple Fountain Grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Purple Fountain Grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Purple Fountain Grass is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Pennisetum genus — compare its care with other Pennisetum species on PlantoScan.
Pennisetum is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Purple Fountain Grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Pennisetum Species
Other Pennisetum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin., family Poaceae (first published in Mém. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg, Sér. 6, Sci. Math., Seconde Pt. Sci. Nat. 3(2): 184 (1834)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Purple Fountain Grass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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