Fountain Grass vs Lavender Cotton

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

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae · grasses

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Lavender Cotton

Santolina chamaecyparissus

Asteraceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Fountain Grass (Zones 5-9)

Lavender Cotton (Zones 6-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 6–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Fountain Grass	Lavender Cotton
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Santolina chamaecyparissus
Family	Poaceae	Asteraceae
Category	grasses	shrubs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained, Poor
Height	4'	2'
Spread	3'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	Yellow
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Fountain Grass

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Lavender Cotton

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

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.

Lavender Cotton

✓Needs excellent drainage — hates wet feet.
✓Shear after flowering to maintain compact form.
✓Drought tolerant once established.
✓Great for knot gardens.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Lavender Cotton if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 6–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 6–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Fountain GrassProfile →View Lavender CottonProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fountain Grass and Lavender Cotton grow in the same hardiness zone?

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Lavender Cotton grows in zones 6-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 6 through 9.

Do Fountain Grass and Lavender Cotton have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Lavender Cotton needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Fountain Grass or Lavender Cotton?

Fountain Grass grows taller at 4' compared to Lavender Cotton at 2'. Fountain Grass spreads 3' while Lavender Cotton spreads 3'.

Are Fountain Grass and Lavender Cotton deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Fountain Grass or Lavender Cotton?

Both Fountain Grass and Lavender Cotton 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	Fountain Grass	Lavender Cotton
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Santolina chamaecyparissus
Family	Poaceae	Asteraceae
Category	grasses	shrubs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained, Poor
Height	4'	2'
Spread	3'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	Yellow
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

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.

Lavender Cotton

✓Needs excellent drainage — hates wet feet.
✓Shear after flowering to maintain compact form.
✓Drought tolerant once established.
✓Great for knot gardens.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Lavender Cotton if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 6–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 6–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fountain Grass and Lavender Cotton grow in the same hardiness zone?

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Lavender Cotton grows in zones 6-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 6 through 9.

Do Fountain Grass and Lavender Cotton have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Lavender Cotton needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Fountain Grass or Lavender Cotton?

Fountain Grass grows taller at 4' compared to Lavender Cotton at 2'. Fountain Grass spreads 3' while Lavender Cotton spreads 3'.

Are Fountain Grass and Lavender Cotton deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Fountain Grass or Lavender Cotton?

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