Fountain grass
Cenchrus alopecuroides
Also called Pennisetum, Chinese fountain grass and Pennisetum alopecuroides
Garden plant · GrassesIt is the LAST grass to come up in spring — often not until May — and every year somebody digs one up in April thinking it has died. Leave it alone until June.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 8 daysWater the ground, then leave it — water at the base and then leave it — these want to dry out between drinks.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Not needed
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Half-hardy — a light frost RHS H3, to -5°C
- Size
- 1.1 m tall · 1.1 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- East Asia and Australia
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsNothing recorded against it
No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-03. Where a source says nothing, we say nothing.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.