Fountain Grass vs Morning Glory

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

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae · grasses

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Morning Glory

Ipomoea tricolor

Convolvulaceae · vines

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Fountain Grass (Zones 5-9)

Morning Glory (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Fountain Grass	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Poaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	grasses	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	4'	10'
Spread	3'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Fountain Grass

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Morning Glory

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.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

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 Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Fountain GrassProfile →View Morning GloryProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fountain Grass and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Fountain Grass and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Fountain Grass or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Morning Glory spreads 2' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Fountain Grass and Morning Glory deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Fountain Grass or Morning Glory?

Both Fountain Grass and Morning Glory 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	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Poaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	grasses	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	4'	10'
Spread	3'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Central America
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.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

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 Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fountain Grass and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Fountain Grass and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Fountain Grass or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Morning Glory spreads 2' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Fountain Grass and Morning Glory deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Fountain Grass or Morning Glory?

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