Fountain Grass vs Plum Tree

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

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae · grasses

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Plum Tree

Prunus domestica

Rosaceae · trees

EdibleMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Fountain Grass (Zones 5-9)

Plum Tree (Zones 4-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Fountain Grass	Plum Tree
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Prunus domestica
Family	Poaceae	Rosaceae
Category	grasses	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	4'	25'
Spread	3'	20'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Europe, Western Asia
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Fountain Grass

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Plum Tree

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — 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.

Plum Tree

✓Most need cross-pollination — plant compatible varieties.
✓Thin fruits to 4-6 inches apart.
✓Prune in summer to reduce disease.
✓Brown rot is the main disease concern.

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 Plum Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 4–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Fountain GrassProfile →View Plum TreeProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Plum Tree grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

Do Fountain Grass and Plum Tree have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Plum Tree 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 Plum Tree?

Plum Tree grows taller at 25' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Plum Tree spreads 20' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Fountain Grass and Plum Tree deer resistant?

Fountain Grass is deer resistant, but Plum Tree is not. If deer are a concern, Fountain Grass is the better choice, or protect Plum Tree with fencing.

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

Fountain Grass has low maintenance while Plum Tree has medium maintenance. Fountain Grass may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

Explore More Data Tools

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

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Fountain Grass	Plum Tree
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Prunus domestica
Family	Poaceae	Rosaceae
Category	grasses	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	4'	25'
Spread	3'	20'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Europe, Western Asia
Maintenance	Low	Medium

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.

Plum Tree

✓Most need cross-pollination — plant compatible varieties.
✓Thin fruits to 4-6 inches apart.
✓Prune in summer to reduce disease.
✓Brown rot is the main disease concern.

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 Plum Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 4–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Plum Tree grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

Do Fountain Grass and Plum Tree have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Plum Tree 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 Plum Tree?

Plum Tree grows taller at 25' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Plum Tree spreads 20' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Fountain Grass and Plum Tree deer resistant?

Fountain Grass is deer resistant, but Plum Tree is not. If deer are a concern, Fountain Grass is the better choice, or protect Plum Tree with fencing.

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

Fountain Grass has low maintenance while Plum Tree has medium maintenance. Fountain Grass may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.