Species elephant grass
burgundy-lime foliage

elephant grass

Pennisetum purpureum 'Prince'

Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum 'Prince' is a tall, stiff species of grass with beautiful long, slender leaves. The foliage is dark purple, but some varieties may even come in light colors. This grass will grow up to 6 feet tall and has a wide spread, making it ideal for shade or a border in the landscape. It also makes a great privacy screen. The feathery flowers bloom in white, making this species an eye-catching addition to any garden. It is drought-tolerant so it thrives in areas with low rainfall. Elephant grass is an easy-to-maintain, attractive addition that is sure to add texture and color to any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

8 - 10

Flowers:

Flowers In Autumn

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum 'Prince') should be watered deeply 2-3 times a week. It requires a lot of water, so water until you see water running off the edge of the pot. After the initial watering, the plant should then be watered once the soil is dry to the touch. It is especially important to water during dry periods, as elephant grass can become stressed if water is lacking. In addition, during the hottest months it may be beneficial to mist the foliage of your plant with a spray bottle in order to increase humidity.

sunlight

Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum 'Prince') needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, although it can tolerate up to 8 hours or more in warmer climates. It prefers full sun throughout the day, but will still grow well if provided with partial or dappled shade for a few hours. When the sun is strongest (such as midday or late afternoon), providing some shade will help to make the grass even more vigorous. Too much direct sunlight can be harmful, however, and could cause the leaves to scorch or burn.

pruning

Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum 'Prince') should be pruned once annually in the late spring or early summer after new growth has begun. This should be done by cutting the grass down to the desired height, removing any dead, damaged, or discolored foliage and removing up to 1 third of the shoots. When figuring out how much to cut, consider the purpose of the grass (ornamental planting or hedging) and your desired height and shape for the grass.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Pennisetum purpureum 'Prince' typically starts flowering in July.

Hardiness Map