Can I trim purple fountain grass?

Question

I have a large purple fountain grass plant. If I trim it, will it grow back like regular grass from the same stock? Also, when is the best time to trim and how low do I go? Love the plant, just didn't think it would get this big.

Answer 1

Cut it back as far as you wish now. It will come back strong in the spring. I use a hedge clippers to get it to 6 or 8". It's not easy.

Answer 2

I live in Colorado and always trim mine back to about 6 inches above the ground. I never mulch it or give it any protection and even though I get several feet of snow each year, our purple fountain grass grows back beautifully in the spring.



You should trim it and not just leave it long. Trimming it allows the plant to send it's spring growth the new shoots rather than to the old dead ones.

Answer 3

I live in zone 6a and purple fountain grass is NOT a perennial, it is not winter hardy in OK. It is worth a try to mulch it like crazy if you want to leave it outdoors but I wouldn't cut it back until late winter. It is also worth a try to bring it indoors, it will need lots of light though. If nothing else it will be a learning experience. Although grasses prefer to be on the dry side, be sure to water the one outside occasionally maybe every other week? and especially before a hard freeze, as water acts as an insulator. Good luck this may or may not work, but it is worth a try.

Answer 4

My husband trims our about 6-12" from the ground and mulches around it. It grows back robustly in the spring.