The beauty of this plant makes it a popular focal point in a mixed bed, and also in container gardens. You can mass several of the plants together to create a visually beautiful border or privacy screen. However, it may need some staking for support and does best when planted in an area protected from strong winds. Like most ornamental grasses, purple fountain grass can be planted nearly any time of year, though it establishes best in spring. Since mature plants can reach about 5 feet tall (and nearly as wide), they should be given plenty of room in the garden with at least 3 feet between plants, and in a hole both deep and wide enough to accommodate the roots. Water the grass thoroughly after planting.
Light
Purple fountain grass will tolerate some light shade, but it prefers to be planted in full sunlight. Look for an area in your garden where it will receive bright light at least six to eight hours a day.
Soil
Luckily, purple fountain grass isn’t too picky about its soil conditions. Loamy soil often provides the best results, but the plant can do well in many types of mixtures, so long as they’re well-draining.
Water
While purple fountain grass is considered a drought-tolerant ornamental grass, it should still be watered consistently as it’s getting established in your landscape. Give new plants water once or twice a week, about an inch total, allowing time for the soil to dry to the touch between each watering. In areas that receive rain occasionally, you will not need to water the grass once it has become established—areas that are particularly dry or hot may need occasional watering.
Temperature and Humidity
One of the perks of purple fountain grass is just how versatile it is when it comes to temperature conditions. It’s cold-weather hardy down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, so if your area remains about that temperature, then you can grow the grass as a perennial and cut it back in early spring each year. New growth will initiate as the temperatures begin to climb. Meanwhile, those in colder zones will have to make do with enjoying purple fountain grass’s vivid color and striking, vase-shaped form throughout the late spring, summer, and fall—unless they don’t mind going through the trouble of overwintering it indoors. Additionally, the grass has no special humidity needs.
Fertilizer
Fountain grass grows fairly well in poor soil, but fertilizer will boost its growth and provide the additional nutrients it needs when flowering. During that time (typically the summer), feed it monthly with a general-purpose, slow-release food according to the directions on the fertilizer’s label.
Types of Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’: Another popular cultivar of the purple fountain grass species, this plant has variegated leaves with burgundy in the middle and hot pink at the edges. P. alopecuroides ‘Burgundy Bunny’: A cultivar of a relatively cold-hardy species of fountain grass in the Pennisetum genus, this variety stands 16 inches tall. The foliage has hints of red in summer, but the color intensifies to a deep reddish-purple in fall. P. alopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’: Another cultivar of P. alopecuroides, ‘Little Bunny’ stands 12 inches tall with a slightly greater spread. This variety lacks the colorful foliage of burgundy bunny but features buff-colored flowers.
Pruning
The standard way to prune ornamental grasses, like purple fountain grass, is to cut it back severely in late winter or early spring before it begins its new growth. This eliminates dead foliage and improves air circulation and sun exposure to stimulate the growth of new leaves. You can also selectively trim dead foliage and perform some light shaping on the plant any time of the year. To cut back the grass in the spring, gather the leaves of each plant, and bind them with a rope, masking tape, or bungee cord. Use pruners or a scythe to cut the leaves straight across, 4 to 6 inches up from the base of the plant. Comb through the trimmed leaves by hand to remove any additional dead blades and debris.
Propagating Purple Fountain Grass
Purple fountain grass can be propagated through division or seeds. The plants may readily self-seed in the garden, but root division is a faster and more reliable form of propagation than waiting for seeds. Division should be done in the fall after flowering when the plant is going into dormancy. Take these steps for propagating by division:
How to Grow Purple Fountain Grass From Seed
It’s easy to plant purple fountain grass from seed though it takes time to see results. Collect the seeds from the flowering stems when they’re dry, usually in the fall. Then take these steps to grow the grass from seeds:
Overwintering
You can dig up the grass and place it in any type of planting container and bring it inside during the winter to survive. Cut the plants down to 3 inches tall.. They won’t look ornamental over the winter, but they should come back in the spring. Place the container in a cool area or room where the temperature will not reach freezing. The plant’s shallow roots won’t tolerate freezing temperatures. Also, offer the plants a moderate amount of light during the winter. Keep the them watered, but not soggy, and do not let them dry out. Once the weather turns warmer in the spring, take a week to acclimate the plant by bringing it outdoors for a while during the day and indoors at night.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
The good news is that the rugged purple fountain grass is pretty resistant to pests and diseases. That being said, there are a few more common issues you should keep an eye out for when planting this ornamental in your landscape. You may notice slugs and snails around your grass, but don’t stress—while they may occasionally eat the foliage, they’re unlikely to cause serious, long-lasting damage. Rust fungus can commonly occur with purple fountain grass because of trapped moisture or humidity between the dense clumps. Make sure to place your plants several feet apart from one another to increase airflow.
