Fountain Grass Cenchrus alopecuroides Play pronunciation

Chinese fountain grass is a clumping herbaceous perennial plant in the grass family (Poaceae) native to Asia and Australia, and is found in open grasslands and savannas. The Latin specific epithet, alopecuroides, means "like the genus Alopecurus (foxtail)".

Chinese fountain grass grows in clumps 2 to 4 feet tall and wide and prefers a full sun position in dry to moist, well-drained soils. It will tolerate partial shade, but flowering is best in full sun.  This plant is highly resistant to deer grazing, is slightly salt-tolerant and drought-tolerant once established. Cut the foliage to the ground in late winter. Propagation is by seed or division of clumps. 

In mid-summer to fall bottlebrush-like flower spikes appear that transition from green to reddish-purple to.a golden brown on arching stems. The leaves are linear, arching, up to 20 inches long and turn yellow or tan in fall to winter. 

Chinese fountain grass can spread rapidly by seeds carried by wind or by attaching to clothes or fur. It has escaped gardens and has become problematic in some areas of the country. 

The Infertile Collection was developed at the University of Georgia. These are bred specifically to be sterile and safe for landscapes. See the four listed sterile cultivars. See native alternatives listed to the left.

Use sterile cultivars in borders or groups in Asian, cutting or drought- tolerant gardens

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:    No significant problems. Weedy.

Quick ID Hints:

• Clumping erect grass with arching green-brown leaves
• Inflorescence a reddish-brown raceme of spiklets
• Bottlebrush raceme reddish brown
• Spiklets awned with bristles

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. NOTE the plant currently known as Cenchrus alopecuroides was formerly known as Pennisetum alopecuroides.