• Clusters of Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum' in nursery pots, displaying rich purple and green grass-like foliage.
  • Vibrant Purple Fountain Grass, Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum', growing in a nursery setting, with dark purple leaves and green highlights.
  • Healthy Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum' plants in black nursery pots, showcasing vibrant purple and green foliage.
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Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum')

Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum')

$28.75
$28.75
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Why we love this plant!

A warm-season ornamental grass forming a neat, arching clump of deep burgundy-purple foliage, topped through the warmer months by soft, feathery plumes in pink to rose-red. Grown almost entirely for foliage colour and movement, it provides year-round structure in mixed borders, gravel gardens, and large containers. It is a sterile cultivar that rarely sets viable seed, and is propagated by division rather than from seed.

Caution — Weed Status
The parent species, Pennisetum setaceum (African fountain grass, now also known as Cenchrus setaceus), is a Category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 and must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment. 'Rubrum' is a sterile cultivar and is not the restricted species, but some local councils extend restrictions or discourage planting of sterile cultivars within their area. Check with your local council before planting, particularly if you are near bushland, waterways, or grassland reserves.

Care Considerations

Watering preferences:

  • Water regularly while establishing, then drought hardy.

Mulching preferences:

  • Light mulch to conserve moisture, kept clear of the crown to avoid rot.

Fertilising preferences:

  • A balanced fertiliser can be applied in spring to promote healthy growth.

Pruning preferences:

  • Cut back hard to roughly 10 - 15 cm above ground in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. This removes tired and frost-damaged foliage and keeps the clump dense
  • Remove spent plumes through the season if a tidier look is wanted. Divide clumps every two to three years when the centre begins to thin.

Good to Know:

  • Sterile - does not self-seed, and cannot be grown from collected seed
  • Cut foliage can irritate skin; gloves are worth wearing when trimming

Plant Details
Common uses: Border planting, Container growing, Drought hardy/tolerant, Low maintenance garden, Coastal garden, Rocky or dry gardens (Xeriscape), Textural interest, Courtyard garden, and Feature plant
Expected Height Range: 0.6 m – 1 m
Spread Range: 0.8 m – 1.2 m
Preferred positioning: Full sun
Flower Season/s: Summer and Autumn
Watering Preferences: Water regularly while establishing, then drought hardy.
Mulching Preferences: Light mulch to conserve moisture, kept clear of the crown to avoid rot.
Fertilising Preferences: A balanced fertiliser can be applied in spring to promote healthy growth.
Pruning Preferences: Cut back hard to roughly 10 - 15 cm above ground in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. This removes tired and frost-damaged foliage and keeps the clump dense and Remove spent plumes through the season if a tidier look is wanted. Divide clumps every two to three years when the centre begins to thin.
Key Characteristics: Sterile - does not self-seed, and cannot be grown from collected seed. Cut foliage can irritate skin; gloves are worth wearing when trimming.
Flower Colour/s:
Plant life cycle: Perennial
Habitat: A cultivated hybrid, generally understood to derive from Pennisetum setaceum and Pennisetum macrostachyum. The parent species originates from parts of Africa, the Middle East, and south-western Asia, where it grows on dry, hot, rocky, and exposed sites.
Leaf information: Fine, narrow, arching leaves in deep burgundy-purple, held in a dense clump. Semi-evergreen - foliage can look tired by late winter.
Preferred Soil: Well-drained soils essential. Adaptable to sandy, loamy, and moderately poor soils. Performs badly in heavy or waterlogged ground.
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Important Notice:

The information on this page is intended as a general guide to help you make informed decisions about your garden. It's your responsibility to assess whether this information suits your specific situation and local conditions.

While we work hard to keep our information accurate and current, gardening involves many variables that can affect plant performance and suitability. What works in one garden may not work in another.

Livable Garden Centre doesn't provide guarantees or warranties about the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of this information. We also can't guarantee specific outcomes for plants or products featured on our website. Use this information at your own discretion and risk.

Always consider your local climate, soil conditions, and specific garden needs when making planting decisions. When in doubt, consult with local gardening professionals or extension services.