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Purple Fountain Grass

Purple Fountain Grass

Cenchrus setaceus 'Rubrum'

grass☀️ full sun💧 low waterZone 9aZone 11b

Purple Fountain Grass is a striking ornamental grass with deep burgundy to black foliage that forms an elegant arching mound. It produces feathery purple plumes in late summer through fall, making it a dramatic accent plant for borders and containers. Cenchrus setaceus is sometimes reported as invasive by Cal-IPC. It self-seeds prolifically and displaces native vegetation in wildland areas, particularly in coastal and desert habitats.

Overview

Form
upright, fountain-like
Growth Rate
fast
Size
3–4′ tall × 2–3′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

moderate
Zone 9aZone 11b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 9a to Zone 11b

pH Range

67.5
7.0
3.556.589
pH range: 6 to 7.5

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SummerFall

Herb

Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.

Succession Role

pioneer

Native Range

East Africa

Function & Care

biomass/mulcherosion control

Establishment & Care

Establishment
easy
Maintenance
low
Propagation
seed, division

Companion Planting

Plants well with