- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 2.5 - 3 Feet
- Mature Width 2.5 - 3 Feet
- Growing Zones 5 - 9
Add the element of movement and sound to your landscape with a handsome Fountain Grass that sways gracefully in every breeze. Place Puppy Love where the morning and evening light will show off the beautiful foliage of dark green with burgundy accents that turns bronze in autumn. Very showy, dusky-red plumes with chartreuse overtones bloom in early fall. The seed heads and foliage of this Pennisetum alopecuroides add both fall and winter interest. They provide contrast of texture with other perennials and shrubs. It grows to a height of 30-36 inches.
Puppy Love Fountain Grass has an upright growth habit. It has very few pest or disease problems and is considered to be deer resistant. It has some tolerance of urban pollution. As a busy gardener you will love this low-maintenance plant that is native to the meadows and open woods of Eastern Asia. Because of its moderate size it is better suited to residential landscapes than other grasses. Use it in the role of ‘filler’ or ‘thriller’ in a combination planter. Grow it alone, or in the center of the pot with smaller plants and ‘spillers’ around it. Use it in the border, in mass plantings, or as a specimen or focal point. It is lovely in cut-flower arrangements. When dried, its flowers are very decorative.
Puppy Love Fountain Grass Care
Puppy Love is happy in loamy soil with good drainage because it doesn’t like standing water. (Planting in raised beds will ensure good drainage.) Ordinary garden soil is adequate as long as it is moist. Plant with its crown slightly above ground level to prevent crown rot. Water during drought conditions, otherwise 1-inch of water per week from rain or irrigation. Drip irrigation is perfect for grasses. It needs little fertilization and grows in poorer soils better than many other plants. It likes an acidic or neutral pH.
Clean up the grass in early spring before new growth. Use hedge shears and wear gloves to cut it back. It will be easier if you tie the grass first.
Puppy Love Fountain Grass Spacing
Plant near lady’s mantle (Alchemilla molis) and purple cultivars of Heuchera. Space your Fountain Grass 30-36 inches apart.
Puppy Love Fountain Grass Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
Plant Type: Perennial Grass |
Light Exposure: Full Sun |
Mature Height: 2.5 - 3 Feet |
Mature Spread: 2.5 - 3 Feet |
Mature Spacing: 2.5 - 3 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Red |
Flower Description: Upright, bottlebrush-shaped |
Bloom Period: Late Summer to Fall |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Dark Green with Burgundy Accent |
Foliage Description: Lanceolate |
Seasonal Interest: 4 Season Interest |
Watering: Low to Moderate |
Resists: Deer, Rabbit, and most Insects |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies |
Features: Cut Flowers, Deadheading Not Necessary, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
Uses: Borders, mass plantings, containers, cut flowers |
Brand: Proven Winners |
Common Name: Puppy Love Fountain Grass |
Other Name(s): Puppy Love Pennisetum |
Scientific Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides USPPAF |
- SKU:
- PENPL
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.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

Best in Class Warranty
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
Arrival Guarantee
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Free 1-Year Plant Warranty
All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.