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Chinese pennisetum

About Chinese pennisetum

Chinese pennisetum is a super rare houseplant 🌿 that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Chinese pennisetum likes soil that is good at retaining moisture. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Chinese pennisetum belongs to the Cenchrus genus, and is native to Eastern Asia to Western Australia.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Cenchrus alopecuriodes

Genus

Cenchrus

Family

Poaceae

Order

Poales

Also known as

Chinese pennisetum, Chinese fountaingrass, dwarf fountain grass, foxtail fountain grass and swamp foxtail grass

How to care for Chinese pennisetum

💦 Water

How often to water your Chinese pennisetum

Chinese pennisetum needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Chinese pennisetum in your home

Chinese pennisetum love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Chinese pennisetum does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Chinese pennisetum in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Chinese pennisetum

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Chinese pennisetum: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Chinese pennisetum after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #ChinesePennisetum

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Chinese pennisetum is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

💦 Water Needs

Chinese pennisetum prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Chinese pennisetum requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

🪴 Soil

Chinese pennisetum is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

💩 Fertilizer

Chinese pennisetum should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Chinese pennisetum is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Chinese pennisetum can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.