Reviving Purple Fountain Grass in Containers

Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) in urns turned brown and dry despite regular watering and full sun. The likely causes: drought stress between waterings or fertilizer burn.

Common Causes of Browning

• Drying out: Even one missed watering in hot weather causes blades to brown permanently.
• Fertilizer burn: Synthetic fertilizer applied to dry soil or at too high a concentration salts the roots.
• Poor drainage: Urns must have drainage holes; never add rocks or mulch at the bottom—this creates a perched water table.

Immediate Fixes

1. Cut off all brown, dead foliage to improve appearance.
2. Water deeply, then apply a balanced synthetic fertilizer at label rate (if not fertilized recently). Repeat in two weeks.
3. Ensure pots drain freely and use fresh, well-draining potting mix with time-release fertilizer (e.g., Osmocote) at planting next time.

Overwintering in Zone 7b

Purple fountain grass is not hardy in Zone 7b. Overwintering indoors is very difficult—it rarely survives. Best to treat as an annual and replace each spring, or collect seeds (though hybrids may not come true). Plant in spring or early summer for best establishment.