19 Best Types of Fountain Grasses for Containers

Sheri Dorn is a versatile homesteader and culinary artist with a strong focus on organic and heirloom gardening. Holding a Master's degree in Culinary Arts, she combines her love for cooking and gardening in a unique way. Sheri is an active contributor to online gardening communities and enjoys quality outdoor time with her family and pets.
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Here are some of the Best Types of Fountain Grasses for Containers that can add a fantastic appeal to your home or garden!

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a beginner, fountain grasses are easy to care for and provide long-lasting beauty throughout the growing season. Here are the Best Types of Fountain Grasses for Containers.

Check out Black Mondo Grass Care and Growing Tips 


Best Types of Fountain Grasses for Containers

1. Hameln

Best Types of Fountain Grasses for Containers

Botanical Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’

USDA Zones: 6-8

This fountain grass is a compact variety that features dense, rounded clumps of dark green foliage. In the late summer, the plant produces fluffy, bottlebrush-like plumes.

2. Little Bunny

Best Types of Fountain Grasses for Containers
garden.org

Botanical Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’

USDA Zones: 5-9

This fountain grass is a small and charming variety that is perfect for container gardening. Its tufted mounds of narrow, green leaves form a tidy clump, and in the late summer.

3. Moudry

top  Types of Fountain Grasses for Containers 3

Botanical Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Moudry’

USDA Zones: 5-9

Moudry is a fountain grass that is notable for its striking, almost-black, bottlebrush-like blooms that appear in late summer and last through the fall.

Here are the Best Tall Grass Like Plants

4. Red Head

top Best Types of Fountain Grasses for Containers

Botanical Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Head’

USDA Zones: 5-9

This fountain grass features large, feathery plumes that are a rich burgundy-red color, making it a showstopper in any container garden.

5. Karley Rose

 Fountain Grasses for Containers
barnhousegarden

Botanical Name: Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’

USDA Zones: 5-9

This fountain grass features finely textured green foliage that forms a tidy clump. In the late summer, the plant produces airy, rose-colored plumes that dance in the breeze.

6. Shogun

best Fountain Grasses for Containers
garden illustrated

Botanical Name: Pennisetum orientale ‘Shogun’

USDA Zones: 5-9

Shogun is a stunning variety with deep maroon-colored foliage that stands out in any container garden. In summer, it produces pink feathery plumes.

7. Tall Tails

Best Types of Fountain Grasses for Containers
nova

Botanical Name: Pennisetum orientale ‘Tall Tails’

USDA Zones: 5-8

This fountain grass is an elegant variety that produces long, arching stems. The foliage is a lush green color and forms a dense clump, making it a great choice for containers.

8. Cherry Sparkler

Top Fountain Grasse Types for Containers
mygardenlife

Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Cherry Sparkler’

USDA Zones: 9-10

Cherry Sparkler features eye-catching, variegated foliage with stripes of white, pink, and green. In late summer, the plant produces soft, pink-red plumes.

9. Fireworks

Fountain Grasses: The Best Variety for Containers

Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’

USDA Zones: 9-10

This fountain grass is a dramatic variety with stunning, burgundy-colored foliage that explodes into a burst of vibrant pink, red, and white colors at the end of the summer.

10. Rubrum

best Fountain Grasses: The Best Variety for Containers

Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’

USDA Zones: 9-10

Rubrum is a striking variety with deep burgundy-colored foliage that forms a dense clump that can reach up to 3 feet tall. It produces fluffy, pinkish-red plumes in late summer.

11. Skyrocket

Fountain Grasses The Best Variety for Containers
 living4media

Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Skyrocket’

USDA Zones: 9-10

This fountain grass is a vertical grower with narrow, upright foliage. The leaves are a bright green color, and in late summer, the plant produces fluffy, pink-red plumes.

12. Tall, Dark, and Handsome

Greatest Fountain Grasse Types for Jars

Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Tall Dark and Handsome’

USDA Zones: 9-10

Tall, Dark, and Handsome fountain grass is an elegant variety with narrow, dark foliage that forms a dense clump. It produces pink plumes of soft, feathery flowers.

Check How to Grow Rye Grass 

13. Vertigo

best The Greatest Fountain Grasse Types for Jars
Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Vertigo’

USDA Zones: 9-10

This fountain grass is a unique variety with broad, purple-black foliage. It produces fluffy, burgundy-colored plumes that add a touch of drama to any container garden.

14. Red Button

 Fountain Grasse Types for Jars

Botanical Name: Pennisetum thunbergii ‘Red Button’

USDA Zones: 8-11

It features narrow, arching foliage that is a deep burgundy color, providing an excellent contrast to green foliage in container gardens. It also grows pink-white plumes.

15. Cream Falls

The Finest Fountain Grasses for Containers

Botanical Name: Pennisetum villosum ‘Cream Falls’

USDA Zones: 9-10

This fountain grass is a low-growing variety with soft, silver-gray foliage. It forms a dense mound up to 18 inches tall. In late summer, it produces fluffy, cream plumes.

16. Burgundy Bunny

best The Finest Fountain Grasses for Containers
perennialresource

Botanical Name: Pennisetum ‘Burgundy Bunny’

USDA Zones: 5-9

This dwarf fountain grass has narrow, upright foliage that is a deep burgundy color and reaches a height of about 1 foot. It produces fluffy, purplish-pink plumes in late summer.

17. Cassian

top best Fountain Grasses for Containers

Botanical Name: Pennisetum ‘Cassian’

USDA Zones: 5-9

This fountain grass is a compact variety with narrow, upright foliage that is a bright green color and grows up to 2 feet tall.

18. First KnightBest Types of Fountain Grasses for Containers 18

Botanical Name: Pennisetum ‘First Knight’

USDA Zones: 8a-11

First Knight fountain grass is a striking variety with wide, dark purple-black foliage. It produces fluffy, pinkish-purple plumes that stand out against the dark foliage.

Find How to Grow Lemongrass from Seed 

19. Muhly Grass

Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’

USDA Zones: 9-10

It is a striking ornamental grass with deep purple foliage and long, showy, bottle-brush-like flower spikes. It is a fast-growing evergreen grass that grows up to 3-4 feet tall.

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