Purple Fountain Grass
Cenchrus setaceus 'Rubrum'
Also known as Fountain Grass, Crimson Fountaingrass, African Fountain Grass
Climate Match for your location
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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.
Why grow it
Purple Fountain Grass offers more dramatic foliage color than many ornamental grass alternatives, with deep burgundy tones that intensify in full sun. The arching form and late-season plumes provide textural contrast in mixed plantings and containers where season-long interest is desired. It reaches maturity faster than some perennial grasses, typically flowering in its first year under favorable conditions.
Watch out for
This grass performs best with well-draining soil and may struggle or decline in consistently wet conditions. In cooler climates, it may not reliably overwinter outdoors and is often grown as an annual or moved to protected storage. Regular deadheading of spent plumes can reduce volunteer seedlings in the garden.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native Range
East Africa
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Purple Fountain Grass grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Purple Fountain Grass offers more dramatic foliage color than many ornamental grass alternatives, with deep burgundy tones that intensify in full sun. The arching form and late-season plumes provide textural contrast in mixed plantings and containers where season-long interest is desired. It reaches maturity faster than some perennial grasses, typically flowering in its first year under favorable conditions.
Watch out for
This grass performs best with well-draining soil and may struggle or decline in consistently wet conditions. In cooler climates, it may not reliably overwinter outdoors and is often grown as an annual or moved to protected storage. Regular deadheading of spent plumes can reduce volunteer seedlings in the garden.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native Range
East Africa
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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