Purple Fountain Grass

Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'

$34⁹⁹

In Stock
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Plant Size

Quart Container Quart Container | **6 Pack**

Product variants

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

Purple Fountain Grass highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name

Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'
Growing Zones

(Annual in all zones, Perennial in zones 9-11)
Mature Height

3 - 4 feet
Mature Spread

2 - 3 feet
Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Moisture

Moderate
Soil

Well Drained
Growth Rate

Medium
Pollinator Friendly

No
Pollinator Required

No
Pruning Time

Early Spring
Bloom Period

Summer, Fall

Growing Zones (annual in all zones, perennial in zones 9-11)

Find Your Growing Zone!

Add a long-lasting dramatic fountain of color for very little effort with Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'). Rely on this charming choice for texture, motion and intense hues. These tall stems of Purple Fountain Grass soar above its foliage. They are tipped with foot-long burgundy plumes.

Make people's heads turn! Featuring rich purple foliage and gorgeous arched seed heads that turn golden as they age, Purple Fountain Grass is impossible to ignore. Long blades grow straight up from the crown of these beautiful plants. The foliage starts off green, but as they thrust up out of the ground and spill over in waves, the color deepens to a brilliant purple.

In the middle of summer, start watching for thick flower stalks to emerge. The dark purple blooms lengthen over time into a fluffy, arched cluster. Purple Fountain Grass cascades into a fountain-like shape upon maturity, giving rise to its name. Plant a living fountain and set the stage for a high-end, designer look around your outdoor entertainment area.

Planting and Application:

This brilliant purple ornamental grass is beautiful year-round, whether you add it to a rock garden, a group in a flower bed, or an accent among other plants in a border. The grass also pots well, so add it to a container for a delightful display on a front porch, balcony or patio.

There is nothing like a long row of these gleaming grasses lit from within by the setting sun. It can be grown as a perennial year after year in Zones 9 - 11, or a container thriller and annual plant for northern growing zones. Use several as a low-maintenance, high-impact foundation planting. They look very modern and will effortlessly boost your curb appeal!

Tall Arched Purple Plumes & Flowing Texture
Year-Round Color
Great Fresh & Dried Flowers
Warm Climate Perennial or Annual for Northern Gardeners
Container, Mass Planting & Specimen

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Plant Purple Fountain Grass in full sun to develop the best blooms. Plant in well-drained soil of almost any type and provide moderate moisture as needed. Warm-season grasses green up later in the spring, but really shine once the hot, dry summer weather kicks in!

Full Sun or Partial Shade
Low-Maintenance
Drought & Heat Resistant
Rarely Damaged by Deer
Prune Early Spring

Pump up the look of your garden with this top-rated landscape designer favorite. Order Purple Fountain Grass today at NatureHills.com!

Wintering in zone 7

I have been told this is an annual here. However, at a nursery yesterday they called it a tender annual/perenial-stating it should not be cut back in the fall, mulch it very well and it will come back in the spring with new growth coming up through old. I am excited and looking forward to trying it this winter.

Dear Howland5,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and insights on wintering Purple Fountain Grass in zone 7! Your observations align well with what many gardeners find—in colder zones, it’s often treated as a tender perennial or a marginal perennial that benefits greatly from careful overwintering. Mulching thoroughly is indeed a fantastic way to protect the roots from freezing temperatures, and as you mentioned, allowing some old growth to remain can help shield new shoots in spring.

If you haven't already, you might also consider wrapping the base with burlap or using a frost cloth on especially harsh nights to provide extra insulation. This often improves survival chances in borderline climates. We love hearing about gardeners embracing the challenge of nurturing such gorgeous grasses through the winter—the graceful purple plumes add wonderful texture to any landscape come spring and summer!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out for more tips or if you need any seasonal reminders. Wishing you lots of success and joy as you watch your Purple Fountain Grass flourish in the seasons ahead.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

WONDERFUL

YOU CAN PLANT THIS BEAYTIFUL GRASS IN EARLY SPRING AND ENJOY IT THROUGH OCTOBER. I AM SADENNED TO LEARN THAT I WILL LOSE THESE PLANTS IN THE WINTER. I WAS TOLD BY A NURSERY PERSON THAT IF I CUT IT BACK IT WOULD RETURN NEXT YEAR.

Dear Less,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear how much you’re enjoying your Purple Fountain Grass throughout the growing season. You’re absolutely right—while this beautiful ornamental grass does die back during the winter, the good news is that by cutting it back to about 3-4 inches from the ground in late winter or early spring, it will indeed regrow and come back lush and vibrant each year. Be sure to remove any old foliage before new shoots appear to give it the best start.

If you're interested, applying a layer of mulch before the first frost can help protect the roots through colder months, especially if you live in areas with harsher winters. Feel free to reach out if you'd like some tailored advice depending on your local climate, or any other tips to keep nurturing your garden through the seasons!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Purple Fountain Grass

I planted Purple Fountain grass around my stream bed this summer. It is my favorite area now. Looks really nice and is easy to grow. Plan to buy more next summer

Dear Lin,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Purple Fountain Grass! We’re delighted to hear it has become your favorite spot by the stream bed and that it’s proving easy to grow. Its graceful movement and rich color truly bring special charm to any garden space.

As you plan for next summer, consider planting a few more below-serving the stream edges or mixing in complementary plants like Blue Fescue or Spike Cyperus for added texture and color variation. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like tips on soil care or watering schedules to keep your plants looking their best throughout the seasons.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

An Annual in NJ

I LOVED this grass! It gets big...and its colors are amazing right through the fall. I did cut mine back this past winter and mulched well on top. The ground really didnt freeze by me this year. All my other grasses are growing like crazy right..and sadly my red fountain didnt seem to make it. The nursery did tell me it was a perinneal if I mulched and cut. Oh well.

Dear Nomoregrass,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Purple Fountain Grass! We're thrilled to hear you loved its size and beautiful colors well into the fall—it truly is a stunning annual when cared for thoughtfully. Your mulching and pruning approach this past winter sounds spot-on, especially when the ground didn't freeze too deeply by you.

We’re sorry to hear your red fountain grass didn’t survive, though. Even with proper mulching, some grasses can be sensitive to local conditions like soil drainage or temperature swings. If you’d like to give it another try, mulching responsibly and perhaps adding a bit of fern mulch or leaf compost to improve soil insulation and moisture retention might help it overwinter better. Additionally, planting in a slightly sheltered spot can protect grasses from harsh winds and frost damage. If needed, our plant experts are happy to help you find varieties proven to be especially resilient in your NJ climate!

Thank you again for your thoughtful review—it helps our gardening community grow stronger with every shared experience.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

kaps1384

Can the above grass be saved over the winter in a garage that does not freeze Answer from Nature Hills: We have personally tried both in the garage and also in the basement, no luck either way.

Hello Edam33,

Thank you so much for reaching out and for your thoughtful question about overwintering Purple Fountain Grass. We truly appreciate your interest in nurturing this beautiful plant through the colder months!

Regarding your garage that doesn’t freeze, our experience has shown that even in non-freezing garages, Purple Fountain Grass typically struggles to survive the winter indoors due to lack of adequate light and cold dormancy conditions. However, if your garage has some natural light and temperatures stay consistently cool (above freezing but below about 50°F), you might try gradually acclimating the plant to those conditions, ensuring it’s kept slightly drier to prevent rot. Some gardeners find success in cutting the grass back in late fall, storing it where it’s just cool and well-ventilated, then potting it again in spring.

Additionally, bringing the plant indoors to a bright, sunny window or supplementing with grow lights during winter could bolster its chances if your garage environment is not conducive. For other ideas and specific care tips, our Plant Library online offers some tailored advice, or feel free to contact us for personalised recommendations.

Thanks again for your dedication to preserving your Purple Fountain Grass — every gardener’s question helps us all grow wiser together!

To greener days ahead,
Nature Hills Customer Care & Plant Support