When should I cut it back?

Cut the foliage down to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it performs best in full sun for the most prolific flowering.

Plant guide

Fountain Grass.

Cenchrus alopecuroides

Pronounced SEN-krus al-oh-pek-yoo-ROY-deez

Also known as Black Fountaingrass

Chinese pennisetum — Photo by Andrew Conboy (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Fountain grass is a beautiful ornamental grass that adds a soft, arching texture to your garden. It creates a lovely focal point with its feathery plumes that sway gracefully in the breeze. You will love how it brings movement and interest to your landscape throughout the late summer and fall.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial grass
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Late summer to mid autumn

Care

Plant this grass in a spot that gets plenty of sun to keep it happy and upright. Watch for yellowing leaves which can signal too much moisture in the soil. Give it a good trim once a year to encourage fresh growth for the next season.

Watering: Water deeply once established, but allow the soil to dry out slightly between sessions.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.
Pruning: Cut the foliage back to a few inches above the ground in late winter or early spring.
Repotting: Divide the root clump every few years if the center starts to die out or the plant becomes too crowded.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -20 to 35°C
Humidity: 30 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth

Safety

People: There is no known toxicity to humans.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The sharp leaf edges can cause minor cuts if handled roughly by children.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause minor skin irritation due to fine hairs.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: This grass is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Arching, fountain like habit
Narrow, blade like leaves
Bottlebrush shaped flower spikes
Plumes turn golden in autumn

Height: 0.6 to 1.2m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.2m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: silver, pink, purple, 10 to 25cm
Fruit: tan, Autumn

Problems to watch for

RustCommon
Brown Leaf EdgesUncommon
DehydrationUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your fountain grass from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Leave the dried foliage standing through winter to protect the crown from cold and moisture. Cut back to the ground in early spring.
In containers: It grows well in large containers at least 40 centimeters in diameter.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root ball into smaller sections.
3. Replant the divisions immediately.

Pair this grass with late blooming perennials to maintain interest in the garden through the autumn months.

Grows well with

Coneflower · The upright flowers contrast beautifully with the arching grass blades.
Sedum · These succulents provide a nice structural contrast to the fine texture of the grass.

Similar species

Purple Fountain Grass · Similar form but with striking purple foliage and flowers.

Science

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Cenchrus
Order: Poales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Eastern Asia and Australia
Conservation: This plant is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

It grows in open, sunny grasslands where it competes well for space and light.

Value to wildlife: provides cover for small birds, seeds feed songbirds in winter
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental grass, mass planting, container gardening, cut flower arrangements

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I cut it back?: Cut the foliage down to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.
Does it need full sun?: Yes, it performs best in full sun for the most prolific flowering.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Cenchrus comes from the Greek word for millet, while the species name alopecuroides refers to the fox-tail appearance of the flower spikes.

Good to know

It is commonly called fountain grass.
The plumes look lovely when backlit by the sun.
It turns a beautiful golden yellow in late autumn.

Also in

Deer-resistant plants

Keep your fountain grass growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.