How to Grow Red Fountain Grass
Wikimedia Commons
Red Fountain Grass
Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'
grassRed Fountain Grass is a stunning ornamental grass with deep burgundy-red foliage and graceful, arching fountain-like growth habit. Its feathery, reddish plumes emerge in late summer and persist into fall, creating dramatic movement and color in the landscape. This tender perennial is prized for its striking appearance and architectural form in borders, containers, and focal point plantings.
When should you plant Red Fountain Grass in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Red Fountain Grass timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Red Fountain Grass
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Red Fountain Grass
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red Fountain Grass dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11; grown as an annual in cooler zones
Sign up free to see if Red Fountain Grass grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Red Fountain Grass timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling/Establishment
3-4 weeksTiny red-tinged shoots emerge; foliage is narrow and delicate
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright indirect light initially, then transition to full sun. Protect from strong wind.
Vegetative Growth
6-10 weeksPlant develops into a compact mound with elongating, deeply colored burgundy-red blades; height increases steadily
Maintain moderate moisture. Allow air circulation to prevent disease. Pinch back tips if bushier growth is desired. Begin light feeding with balanced fertilizer.
Expansion & Maturation
4-6 weeksPlant reaches full height (2-3 feet), with dense fountain-like form and intensifying red coloration, especially in cooler temperatures
Reduce watering frequency; allow some drought stress to enhance color. Apply slow-release fertilizer sparingly—excess nitrogen reduces color intensity. Ensure good drainage.
Flowering & Plume Production
8-12 weeks (late summer through fall)Delicate, feathery inflorescences (reddish-purple plumes) emerge from the crown, adding height and graceful movement
Maintain moderate moisture during flowering. Do not deadhead if you want seeds or prefer the late-season ornamental effect. Plumes persist for weeks to months.
Dormancy & Winter
2-4 months (December-March in Northern Hemisphere)In zones 9b-10, foliage may fade or brown; in zone 11, may remain green. Plant appears dormant or semi-dormant.
In frost-prone zones, cut back to 3-4 inches in late fall/early winter to prevent rot and encourage spring regrowth. In mild zones, leave plumes for winter interest. Reduce watering. Do not fertilize.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or miticide if severe. Improve air circulation.
-
Remove with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Inspect regularly, especially on container plants.
-
Scrape off manually or treat with horticultural oil. Ensure good air circulation.
Uses
Dried Flower Arrangements
CraftThe feathery plumes dry beautifully and hold color well, making them ideal for dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and decorative displays that last many months. [source]
Ornamental Landscape & Container Plant
HouseholdRed Fountain Grass serves as a striking focal point in borders, containers, and mixed plantings, adding year-round color, movement, and textural interest to gardens and patios. [source]
Wildlife & Pollinator Support
WildlifeGrasses provide shelter and nesting material for beneficial insects and songbirds; the plumes attract pollinators during flowering and seeds provide bird food. [source]
Harvest Tips
Red Fountain Grass is not harvested for food. Cut back mature plants to 3-4 inches in late fall/early winter in zones 9b-10 to encourage spring regrowth and prevent rot. In mild zone 11 climates, leave plumes through winter for ornamental value, then cut back in early spring. Collect dried plumes for dried arrangements before winter dormancy.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Red Fountain Grass is tender perennial native to Africa and the Middle East; its deep burgundy color intensifies in cooler fall temperatures and well-draining, slightly stressed soil conditions.
- 🌱 The genus Pennisetum is known as 'fountain grass' because of the cascading, fountain-like growth habit created by arching stems and feathery plumes.
- 🌱 In zones colder than 9b, Red Fountain Grass is typically grown as an annual ornamental; gardeners often dig up mature plants in fall, pot them, and overwinter indoors under grow lights, then replant in spring.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Red Fountain Grass planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Red Fountain Grass seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Red Fountain Grass timeline →