Fig Tree vs Fountain Grass

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

Fig Tree

Ficus carica

Moraceae · trees

EdibleDeer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae · grasses

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Fig Tree (Zones 7-10)

Fountain Grass (Zones 5-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Fig Tree	Fountain Grass
Scientific Name	Ficus carica	Pennisetum alopecuroides
Family	Moraceae	Poaceae
Category	trees	grasses
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	20'	4'
Spread	20'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Green (inside fruit)	Pink, Tan
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean, Western Asia	East Asia, Australia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Fig Tree

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Fountain Grass

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Fig Tree

✓Self-fertile — one tree is sufficient.
✓Protect in winter in zones 7-8 with wrapping or burying.
✓Container-grow in colder zones.
✓Prune to maintain size.
✓Figs fruit on current year's growth.

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 Fig Tree 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 Fig TreeProfile →View Fountain GrassProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fig Tree and Fountain Grass grow in the same hardiness zone?

Fig Tree 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 Fig Tree and Fountain Grass have the same sun and water needs?

Fig Tree 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, Fig Tree or Fountain Grass?

Fig Tree grows taller at 20' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Fig Tree spreads 20' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Fig Tree and Fountain Grass deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Fig Tree or Fountain Grass?

Both Fig Tree 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	Fig Tree	Fountain Grass
Scientific Name	Ficus carica	Pennisetum alopecuroides
Family	Moraceae	Poaceae
Category	trees	grasses
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	20'	4'
Spread	20'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Green (inside fruit)	Pink, Tan
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mediterranean, Western Asia	East Asia, Australia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Fig Tree

✓Self-fertile — one tree is sufficient.
✓Protect in winter in zones 7-8 with wrapping or burying.
✓Container-grow in colder zones.
✓Prune to maintain size.
✓Figs fruit on current year's growth.

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 Fig Tree 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 Fig Tree and Fountain Grass grow in the same hardiness zone?

Fig Tree 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 Fig Tree and Fountain Grass have the same sun and water needs?

Fig Tree 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, Fig Tree or Fountain Grass?

Fig Tree grows taller at 20' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Fig Tree spreads 20' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Fig Tree and Fountain Grass deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Fig Tree or Fountain Grass?

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