Oriental fountain grass is an ornamental plant with a spreading, clumping habit from the grass family (Poaceae). Mid-sized among the fountain grasses, growing to about 2 feet tall, it has green to gray-green leaves with pinkish white flowers that darken to mauve in the fall. Oriental fountain grass grows in moist, well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once mature. Does well in acid, alkaline and neutral soil as long as drainage is good. This is a warm-season grass as it does not tolerate frost well and should be planted in a sheltered position in the garden. Propagation is best by division. This species is listed as a recommended ornamental with the Royal Horticultural Society and received the Award of Garden of Merit in July 2017. However, it has the potential to be weedy. See native alternatives to the left. This versatile plant performs well in mass plantings or combined with contrasting perennials in mixed perennial borders. It is often used along walkways and slopes. Once mature and drought tolerant can be used in a xeriscape landscape. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No notable issues. Weedy. Is deer and rabbit resistant.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Dense; Erect
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaf blades are up to 2 feet long and 1/2 inch wide, and are flat or convolute, smooth or with soft hairs and rough margins.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried
Flower form
Panicle
Flower detail
The panicle is 8 to 12 inches long with often interrupted patches of spiklets that are fluffy, nearly white with pink tones and a bottle-brush appearance.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Dry caryopsis enclosed in bristly and feathery plumes.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Pollinators may visit the flowers. Song birds may eat the seeds. However, native grasses provide better nutrition for birds.