Grass
Fountain Grass
Cenchrus
Monrovia® varieties
Traits
Varieties We Carry
WhiteCenchrusRed FountainCenchrus setaceusBurgundy BunnyCenchrus alopecuroides
Sizes & Pricing
#2MonroviaFrom$34.95
3 galFrom$12.95
#5MonroviaFrom$59.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 25.
LightFull Sun
WaterLow
Mature size3-5 feet (species typical; varies by cultivar) × 2-4 feet
About Fountain Grass
Fountain Grass (Cenchrus spp., formerly Pennisetum) is a clumping ornamental grass producing arching green foliage and showy rose-pink to purple bottlebrush plumes from summer through fall. Note: Cenchrus setaceus (common fountain grass) is a FISC Category 2 invasive in Florida — use only sterile, non-reseeding cultivars such as 'Rubrum' (purple fountain grass) to avoid spread into natural areas. Starting at $12.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- Pink
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Clay, Acidic, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Bloom season.
May lose some foliage in cold snaps.
Care essentials
Light
Requires full sun for best form and flowering; plants in part shade droop and produce fewer plumes. NE Florida's sunny, open sites are ideal.
Water
Moderately drought-tolerant once established; irrigation is needed during establishment but minimal thereafter. Well-drained sites are critical — standing water will kill plants.
Soil & Fertilizer
Adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils including sand, loam, and clay. Minimal fertilization needed; an annual light application of slow-release balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote foliage over flowers.
Similar needs
Indian Grass
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
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Pampas Grass
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
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Switchgrass
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
From $6.95Same conditions
Purple Top Grass
Shares 3 of the same needs: low water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
From $9.95Same conditions
Asiatic Jasmine
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
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Beautyberry
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
From $7.95Same conditions
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Common questions
Is Fountain Grass a good plant for St. Augustine?
Fountain Grass is a grass for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 3-5 feet (species typical; varies by cultivar) × 2-4 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.