Black-Eyed Susan Vine vs Fountain Grass

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Thunbergia alata

Acanthaceae · vines

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae · grasses

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Zones 10-11)

Fountain Grass (Zones 5-9)

No zone overlap — these plants cannot be grown in the same climate

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan Vine	Fountain Grass
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Pennisetum alopecuroides
Family	Acanthaceae	Poaceae
Category	vines	grasses
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	8'	4'
Spread	2'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	Pink, Tan
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	East Asia, Australia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Fountain Grass

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

✓Treat as annual in most zones.
✓Provide trellis or let trail from basket.
✓Deadhead for continuous bloom.
✓Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost.

Fountain Grass

✓Cut back to 6 inches in late winter before new growth.
✓Divide every 3-4 years.
✓Leave seed heads for winter interest.
✓Drought tolerant once established.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan Vine if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 10–11.

Choose Fountain Grass if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

View Black-Eyed Susan VineProfile →View Fountain GrassProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Fountain Grass grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Fountain Grass grows in zones 5-9. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Fountain Grass have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine needs full sun and medium water, while Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Fountain Grass?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows taller at 8' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Black-Eyed Susan Vine spreads 2' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Fountain Grass deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Fountain Grass are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Fountain Grass?

Both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Fountain Grass have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan Vine	Fountain Grass
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Pennisetum alopecuroides
Family	Acanthaceae	Poaceae
Category	vines	grasses
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	8'	4'
Spread	2'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	Pink, Tan
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	East Asia, Australia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

✓Treat as annual in most zones.
✓Provide trellis or let trail from basket.
✓Deadhead for continuous bloom.
✓Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost.

Fountain Grass

✓Cut back to 6 inches in late winter before new growth.
✓Divide every 3-4 years.
✓Leave seed heads for winter interest.
✓Drought tolerant once established.