Purple Fountain Grass — Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'

Why Purple Fountain Grass Is Trending in 2026

• The classic thriller grass for containers and color beds — deep burgundy foliage and soft pink plumes that stop people in their tracks
• One of the most versatile ornamental grasses available — stunning in containers, mass borders, rock gardens, and as a bold accent plant
• Pollinator friendly, deer resistant, and pet friendly — a rare combination that works for nearly every landscape situation
• Fast-growing and low-maintenance — thrives in full sun with minimal care once established
• Perennial in Zones 9–11; used as a dramatic annual or overwintered indoors in Zones 3–8

What This Plant Does For You

There is a reason Purple Fountain Grass has been a garden staple for decades — nothing else delivers that combination of deep burgundy arching foliage and soft, feathery pink plumes quite like it. From the moment it goes in the ground, it commands attention. By midsummer it has built into a graceful, cascading mound of rich color that makes everything around it look better. Use it as the thriller in a container planting, mass it along a border for a wave of dramatic texture, or let a single specimen anchor a garden bed. In warmer zones it comes back year after year. In cooler climates, it delivers a full season of bold color before the frost — and can be brought indoors to overwinter and do it all again next year.

• Delivers bold, season-long color from planting through first frost
• The ultimate thriller plant for container combinations — pairs with virtually any companion
• Produces soft pink plumes that add movement and texture from midsummer through fall
• Thrives in full sun with moderate water — no fussing, no babying
• Deer resistant and pollinator friendly — attracts beneficial insects while repelling browsers
• Pet friendly and safe for family landscapes

Plant Highlights

• Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'
• Mature Size: 36 in. tall, 36 in. wide
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
• Foliage: Deep purple-burgundy; turns purple to brown in fall
• Bloom/Plume: Purple to soft pink plumes, midsummer through fall
• Hardiness Zones: 9–11 (perennial); Zones 3–10 as annual or overwintered indoors
• Light: Full sun
• Water: Moderate; likes consistent moisture, especially in containers
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Deer Resistant: Yes
• Pollinator Friendly: Yes
• Pet Friendly: Yes
• Type: Perennial (Zones 9–11); Annual (Zones 3–8)
• Pruning: Cut back in early spring before new growth starts

Add Purple Fountain Grass to Your Cart Now — Limited Quantities Available

Premium Features & Solutions

Purple Fountain Grass solves real landscaping problems. Need a bold, season-long color anchor for a container or border? This is the classic choice. Have a hot, sunny spot where you want maximum visual impact with minimal effort? Purple Fountain Grass thrives there. Want a plant that works as a perennial in warm climates and a showstopping annual everywhere else? This is it. Its arching habit, rich foliage color, and feathery plumes make it one of the most photographed plants in any garden it touches.

Choose Your Size: The 1 Gallon is our landscape-ready option — a well-rooted, nursery-grown plant that establishes quickly and makes an immediate impact whether planted in the ground or dropped into a container. The Quart is the same genetics at a more accessible entry price, ideal for filling multiple containers or planting in mass color beds where you need quantity without sacrificing quality.

Smart Growing Guide

Pro Tips for Maximum Impact

• Use as the thriller in container combinations — its height, color, and texture make it the natural centerpiece around which everything else is designed.
• Mass plant in groups of 3, 5, or 7 along a sunny border for a bold wave of burgundy that carries the landscape from midsummer through fall.
• Pair with bright yellow or orange flowering annuals like marigolds or lantana for a high-contrast color combination that turns heads all season.
• Water consistently — unlike many ornamental grasses, Purple Fountain Grass performs best with regular moisture rather than drought stress.
• In warm zones, leave the plumes standing through fall and early winter for movement, texture, and wildlife value before cutting back in early spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Purple Fountain Grass a perennial or an annual?
It is a true perennial in Zones 9–11, where it comes back year after year. In Zones 3–8, it is grown as a dramatic annual that delivers a full season of bold color, or it can be overwintered indoors in containers and replanted the following spring.

What is the difference between the Quart and the 1 Gallon?
Both are the same nursery-grown Purple Fountain Grass with identical genetics. The 1 Gallon has a larger, more developed root system and will establish faster and show more impact immediately. The Quart is a budget-friendly starter size, ideal for filling multiple containers or mass planting color beds where quantity matters.

How do I save with Fill My Box?
Add 2, 4, or 6 Purple Fountain Grass plants to your cart and the discount applies automatically at checkout — no code needed. Buy 2 saves 15%, buy 4 saves 25%, buy 6 saves 30%.

How tall does Purple Fountain Grass get?
At maturity, Purple Fountain Grass reaches approximately 36 inches tall and 36 inches wide, forming a graceful, arching mound of cascading burgundy foliage.

When does it bloom?
Soft pink to purple plumes emerge in midsummer and persist through fall, adding movement and feathery texture above the rich burgundy foliage.

Is it deer resistant?
Yes. Purple Fountain Grass is reliably deer resistant, making it a great choice for landscapes where deer pressure is a concern.

Is it pollinator friendly?
Yes. The plumes attract beneficial insects and pollinators, making it a functional as well as beautiful addition to the garden.

Is it pet friendly?
Yes. Purple Fountain Grass is considered pet friendly and safe for family landscapes.

How much sun does it need?
Full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Full sun produces the deepest burgundy foliage color and the best plume display. Shade reduces color intensity significantly.

How much water does it need?
Purple Fountain Grass likes consistent moisture, especially in containers and during hot weather. Water on a regular weekly basis. It is not as drought tolerant as many other ornamental grasses, so do not let it dry out completely between waterings.

Can I overwinter it indoors?
Yes. In Zones 3–8, bring containers indoors before the first frost, cut back by half, and place in a bright window or under grow lights. Water sparingly through winter and resume normal care in spring when you move it back outside.

Do you ship live plants?
Yes. We ship carefully packaged live plants direct from our nursery. See the Ordering & Shipping section below for details.

Ordering & Shipping

We ship live plants direct from our nursery, carefully packaged to arrive healthy and ready to plant. Orders typically process within 1–3 business days. Orders placed after 4:00 PM Wednesday through Sunday ship the following Monday. We ship Monday through Wednesday to avoid weekend delays in transit. You will receive a tracking number by email when your order ships.

Cold and heat may temporarily delay your order until conditions are safe for shipping and planting. We hold orders at our discretion to ensure you receive the healthiest viable plant possible. Summer restriction: above 95 degrees. Winter restriction: below 34 degrees.

Note: The images and videos on our site are the best way to show off our products and show how good we are as growers. Depending on the season you buy, you may get a plant that is smaller or bigger than the picture shows. The plant might bloom like it does on our site, but it might not. We cut off the blooms most of the time because they don't ship well. When you buy our plants, think of them as an investment in your future garden, and enjoy the process of seeing it grow to its fullest.