- USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9
- Height 40-48 Inches Tall
- Spread 3-4 Feet Wide
- Light Requirement is Full Sun
This deer-resistant grass will provide gorgeous year-round interest in a sunny location in your garden. Your eyes will be drawn toward the fluffy bottlebrush plumes that begin as dusty purple and gradually became a pretty shade of tan in the fall. The green foliage of springtime also changes throughout the seasons beginning with the tips turning red and eventually the fronds change to autumn oranges and yellows. This grass can also be used as a vertical element in a large container to create a focal point in your garden.
You can successfully grow Pennisetum alopecuroides in zones 5 to 9. At maturity, it will attain a height of 40 to 48 inches and a width of 36 to 48 inches. This grass can be left up to add winter interest to your garden. Be sure to cut it back to a height of 3 to 5 inches before new growth appears in the spring. In late summer the flowering 5-inch blooms appear. They’ll add movement to your garden as they sway in the breeze.
Prairie Winds Desert Plains Fountain Grass Care
Prairie Winds Desert Plains Fountain Grass can handle both hot and dry as well as humid conditions. Once established, this plant will need little care besides spring pruning and occasional watering in dry conditions. This ornamental grass grows best in rich, well-drained soil. It does not like to grow in areas where water pools after a rainstorm. Plants can be divided a few years after they’re established in your landscape.
Prairie Winds Desert Plains Fountain Grass Spacing
Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart on center. Use multiple plants to create a 3-season screen for privacy or to hide unsightly outdoor utilities.
Prairie Winds Desert Plains Fountain Grass Plant Facts
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9 |
Flower Color(s): Purple |
Bloom Period: Fall |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Light Exposure: Full Sun |
Height Class: Medium |
Height: 40-48 Inches |
Spread: 3-4 Feet |
Spacing: 3-4 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Watering: Average |
Drought Tolerant: No |
Resists: Deer |
Features: Fall Interest; Winter Interest; Foliage Interest |
Scientific Name: Prairie Winds® 'Desert Plains' Pennisetum alopecuroides USPP 20,751 |
Common Name: Prairie Winds® Desert Plains Fountain Grass |
Other Name(s): Chinese, Fountain Grass; Swamp Foxtail Grass; Ornamental Grass |
Brand: Proven Winners |
- SKU:
- PENDE
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.