Fountain Grass (specifically Yellow Foxtail or similar Pennisetum/Setaria species)
Setaria pumila (syn. Pennisetum glaucum relatives) · Warm-season, Annual, C4 photosynthetic pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass or Ornamental Grass (depending on management context)
Variety / Cultivar
Wild-type/Species (often considered a weed in turf contexts)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-11; annual life cycle means it dies with the first hard frost but persists in the seed bank.
About This Grass
A course-textured grass forming dense clumps. Visible seed heads are bristly, cylindrical spikes (panicles) ranging from 2-4 inches long, turning a yellowish-brown or tawny color at maturity. The foliage is typically light to medium green, often appearing lighter than surrounding turf grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-coarse (approx. 4-10mm wide), flat, with a sharp-pointed tip. Lower leaf surfaces often exhibit long, kinky hairs near the base. Ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent. Vernation is rolled in the bud.
Root System
Shallow to moderate fibrous root system; does not form a dense sod or thatch. Establishment is rapid once soil temperatures rise in late spring. Low wear recovery as it relies on seeding rather than vegetative spread.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Asia; highly naturalized throughout North America and temperate climates globally.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with a semi-prostrate to upright habit; lacks rhizomes or stolons but spreads aggressively via heavy seed production.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (highly light-demanding); requires at least 6 hours of direct sun. High drought tolerance once established; prefers moist but well-drained soils and tolerates a wide pH range (5.5 to 7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
When in turf, it is managed as a weed with low mowing (2-3 inches). In ornamental settings, unmowed height reaches 12-36 inches. Minimal fertilization needed; thrives in high-nitrogen soils but persists in poor soil. Low maintenance except for seed head control.
Special Characteristics
Extreme heat tolerance; prolific seeder; salt tolerant. Highly competitive in thinned-out lawns. Generally resistant to most common turf diseases but susceptible to leaf spot in humid conditions.
Ecological Information
Introduced status in most of North America; considered an invasive weed in many states. Seeds provide a significant food source for birds and small rodents, but the plant can displace native species in disturbed areas and pastures.