Fountain grass and Oriental fountain grass are often considered for the same spot in the garden (specimen, container, flowers). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.
Pennisetum alopecuroides 90 cm × 90 cm after 10 years
An ornamental grass forming a hemispherical, arching clump that carries soft bottlebrush plumes from late summer into autumn and turns golden yellow…
Pennisetum orientale 75 cm × 90 cm after 10 years
A low, loosely arching grass that carries soft, pinkish white bottlebrush plumes from early summer into autumn, much earlier than most fountain…
Oriental fountain grass tolerates drought better than Fountain grass.
|
Feature
|
Fountain grass
|
Oriental fountain grass
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | Ornamental grass | Ornamental grass |
| Size after 10 years | 90 cm × 90 cm | 75 cm × 90 cm |
| Ultimate size | 0.3–1.5 m × 0.4–1.5 m | 0.4–1 m × 0.5–1.5 m |
| Growth rate | Medium | Medium |
| Light | Full sun, Part shade | Full sun, Part shade |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Sandy | Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous |
| Hardiness | down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7) | down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7) |
| Foliage | Deciduous | Deciduous |
| Flowering | July–October, white, pink, purple | June–October, pink, white |
| Water need | Medium | Medium |
| Drought tolerance | Medium | High |
| Maintenance | Low | Low |
| Planting distance | 70 cm | 60 cm |
| For dogs | Non-toxic (uncertain) | no data |
| For cats | Non-toxic (uncertain) | no data |
| For children | Non-toxic (uncertain) | no data |
| Typical price | approx. HUF 2,800 | approx. HUF 2,800 |
Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 13, 2026
Besides the cookies the site needs to work, we would like to use analytics and advertising cookies (Google, Facebook), if you allow it. Details