Crepe Myrtle vs Fountain Grass

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

Crepe Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

Lythraceae · trees

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae · grasses

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Crepe Myrtle (Zones 7-10)

Fountain Grass (Zones 5-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Crepe Myrtle	Fountain Grass
Scientific Name	Lagerstroemia indica	Pennisetum alopecuroides
Family	Lythraceae	Poaceae
Category	trees	grasses
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	25'	4'
Spread	15'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, Red, White, Purple	Pink, Tan
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	East Asia, Australia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Crepe Myrtle

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Fountain Grass

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

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 Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

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.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Crepe MyrtleProfile →View Fountain GrassProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Crepe Myrtle and Fountain Grass grow in the same hardiness zone?

Crepe Myrtle grows in USDA zones 7-10, while Fountain Grass grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Crepe Myrtle and Fountain Grass have the same sun and water needs?

Crepe Myrtle 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, Crepe Myrtle or Fountain Grass?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Crepe Myrtle and Fountain Grass deer resistant?

Yes, both Crepe Myrtle and Fountain Grass are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Crepe Myrtle or Fountain Grass?

Both Crepe Myrtle and Fountain Grass have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Crepe Myrtle	Fountain Grass
Scientific Name	Lagerstroemia indica	Pennisetum alopecuroides
Family	Lythraceae	Poaceae
Category	trees	grasses
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	25'	4'
Spread	15'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, Red, White, Purple	Pink, Tan
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	East Asia, Australia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

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 Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

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.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Crepe Myrtle and Fountain Grass grow in the same hardiness zone?

Crepe Myrtle grows in USDA zones 7-10, while Fountain Grass grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Crepe Myrtle and Fountain Grass have the same sun and water needs?

Crepe Myrtle 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, Crepe Myrtle or Fountain Grass?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Crepe Myrtle and Fountain Grass deer resistant?

Yes, both Crepe Myrtle and Fountain Grass are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Crepe Myrtle or Fountain Grass?

Both Crepe Myrtle and Fountain Grass have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.