| Botanic name | Pennisetum alopecuroides |
| Other names | Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese fountain grass |
| Main Origin | Eastern Australia |
| Mature size | 0.6 – 1.2 m x 0.6 – 1.2 m (w x h) |
| Mature form | Dense, fountain-like, mounding clump |
| Foliage | Narrow, arching, fine-textured, mid to deep green |
| Growth rate | Medium to fast |
| Position | Full sun |
| Soil | Adapts to most soils |
| Water | Supplemental watering during prolonged, hot, dry periods |
| Climate | Semi-arid, Mediterranean, temperate, subtropical |
| Flower | Feathery, green-purple to tan spikes in summer & autumn |
| Use | Feature specimen, mass plantings, borders, water gardens |
| Notes | Suitable for coastal sites |
IN THIS ARTICLE
Overview
Pennisetum alopecuroides (syn. Cenchrus purpurascens or Cenchrus alopecuroides) is a highly popular native grass valued for its bold architectural form, soft, bottlebrush-like plumes, and reliable performance across a wide range of growing conditions.
From coastal gardens to inland landscapes, and from contemporary urban courtyards to expansive rural properties. Pennisetum alopecuroides thrives in diverse climates and soil types, delivering reliable beauty with minimal maintenance.
Origin and distribution
Pennisetum alopecuroides is primarily native to a broad region of East and Southeast Asia, where it evolved as a warm-season grass, flourishing during summer monsoons and entering dormancy in cooler or drier winters.
In Australia, it is most common in eastern regions and is widely cultivated nationwide. Although its botanical origin has long been a subject of debate, the species was found to have existed in Australia for hundreds of thousands of years.
Owing to its strong ornamental appeal, the plant is also widely distributed beyond its native range, with established populations in North America, Europe and New Zealand.
Growth and care
Pennisetum alopecuroides naturally inhabits open, sunny environments such as grassy hillsides, meadows, roadsides, and along watercourses. Its native range spans temperate and subtropical zones, while it is also widely cultivated in drier Mediterranean and semi-arid regions.
As a warm-season grass, it may remain evergreen or semi-evergreen all year in warmer, frost-free areas. In cooler, frost-prone regions, Pennisetum alopecuroides typically enters dormancy, turning golden or brown over winter before bouncing back in spring.
In garden settings, Pennisetum alopecuroides is notably resilient and performs reliably across a wide range of conditions. It is highly drought-tolerant and capable of withstanding temperatures down to approximately −15 °C to −20 °C.
In cultivation, it thrives in consistently moist, well-drained soil like most ornamental grasses. However, in the wild, this unfussy native is often found in wet or boggy areas (hence nicknamed ‘Swamp Foxtail’), making it a perfect solution for heavier clay soils. The plant naturally prefers mildly acidic to neutral soils but can adapt to some alkalinity (pH 6.0 – 8.0).
Pennisetum alopecuroides shows strong tolerance to coastal conditions. Cultivars such as ‘Nafray’ are especially resilient to salt-laden winds and sandy, saline soils, making them well-suited to seaside gardens.
In cooler regions, many gardeners leave the dried plumes and golden foliage throughout winter, which adds structural beauty to a dormant garden and provides seeds for local birds.
In these regions, the plant can be cut back hard in late winter or early spring, leaving about 10 cm of stubble above ground. This seasonal ‘reset’ promotes vigorous, fresh growth that is lush, green, and uniform in the new season.
In warmer, frost-free regions, the plant may not require a hard cut-back. Instead, a simple manual ‘comb-through’ and the occasional removal of dead or untidy foliage is sufficient – though care should be taken, as the leaf edges can be sharp. Always wear gloves.
Pennisetum alopecuroides generally requires minimal fertilisation. For plants in the ground, apply compost and other organic materials at the time of planting. Unless the soil is relatively poor, ongoing fertilisation is typically not necessary. If desired, apply a light dose of slow-release, balanced fertiliser in early spring.
Because nutrients leach out of pots more quickly, container-grown Pennisetum can benefit from a single annual feeding in spring with a mild organic food or compost top-dressing.
Features
Pennisetum alopecuroides is renowned for its soft, fountain-like silhouette. Its fine-textured foliage and plume-like flowers create a graceful sense of movement and animated beauty when caught by the breeze.
Its popularity in modern landscaping is driven by its low-maintenance, high-impact aesthetic, combined with the exceptional hardiness required for sustainable, water-wise garden designs.
The narrow, strappy leaf blades, ranging from bright to deep emerald green, emerge in dense, upright tufts before gracefully arching outward to form a lush, fountain-like mound. This elegant form softens hard edges and effectively conceals the bases of taller plants.
Its clumping growth habit and slow-spreading rhizomes provide generous visual volume while remaining well-behaved, making it ideal for smaller or more tightly defined spaces without encroaching on walkways.
When planted in cooler regions, the species provides multi-seasonal interest through its foliage colour, shifting from a vibrant green in summer to warm amber and golden-bronze tones as the weather cools in autumn, until it is pruned back in late winter.
The flowers of Pennisetum alopecuroides are its most iconic feature, giving rise to the common name ‘Swamp Foxtail’. Visually striking and exceptionally long-lasting, they typically persist for three to five months as they gradually transition from fresh plumes to mature seed heads.
The blooms usually appear in late summer as creamy white, pale green, or softly pinkish-mauve plume spikes. As autumn advances, most varieties deepen in tone, transitioning to smoky purples, silvery maroons, or warm coppery tans.
As winter approaches, the plumes fade to a soft straw-beige as they dry into seed heads, providing a valuable food source for birds while maintaining visual interest through the cooler months.
Cultivars
Most Pennisetum alopecuroides cultivars, such as ‘Nafray’ and ‘Pennstripe’, are bred for low seed viability, making them more environmentally safe than the common species. They are bred for superior drought tolerance and have proven to be reliable in harsh Australian conditions.
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Nafray’
‘Nafray’ is a highly popular, compact cultivar, typically reaching around 60 cm in both height and width. It is valued for retaining a deeper, richer green well into autumn and for its enhanced toughness, offering superior tolerance to both drought and wet conditions compared to the original species
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Purple Lea’
‘Purple Lea’ is larger, typically reaching 80 – 90 cm tall and wide at maturity. It is highly ornamental, featuring dazzling deep purple plumes that create a darker, moodier aesthetic.
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Pennstripe’
‘Pennstripe’ is the first variegated native grass featuring striking green and white striped leaves. It often appears silvery green from a distance. With a tidy, compact growth habit, it grows to only 45 cm in height and width.
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cream Lea’
‘Cream Lea’ is also a tall variety, growing to about 1 m in height and width. The cultivar features distinct lime-green foliage and large, striking cream to white plumes.
FAQs
Is fountain grass an Australian native?
It depends on which ‘fountain grass’ you are referring to, as the name is used for a native Australian species, a non-invasive exotic ornamental, and a highly invasive weed from Africa.
Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Also known as Swamp Foxtail Grass or Chinese Fountain Grass.
- Native, but weedy in parts of Australia.
- Plant sterile or low-seed-viability cultivars without the risk of unwanted spread.
Pennisetum advena ‘Rubrum’
- Also known as Purple Fountain Grass.
- Non-native and sterile.
- A recommended exotic choice for texture and colour.
Pennisetum setaceum
- Also known as African Fountain Grass.
- Highly invasive, outcompetes native species in drier zones.
- High seed production, long seed viability, difficult to control, and a potential fire hazard.
Is Pennisetum alopecuroides native to Australia?
Yes, Pennisetum alopecuroides is considered native to eastern Australia. However, it is important to note that the common form is classified as a naturalised weed in parts of temperate Australia where it has escaped garden cultivation.
To minimise environmental risk, it is strongly recommended to choose Australian-bred cultivars such as ‘Nafray’ and ‘Pennstripe’, which exhibit lower seed viability than the common wild type.
When to cut back Pennisetum alopecuroides?
In Australia, the best time to cut Pennisetum alopecuroides back is during the transition between late winter and early spring. In cooler, frost-prone regions, performing the ‘big chop’ in late August and early September is ideal.
