Fountain Grass vs Southern Magnolia

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

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae · grasses

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Magnoliaceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Fountain Grass (Zones 5-9)

Southern Magnolia (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Fountain Grass	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Poaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	grasses	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	4'	80'
Spread	3'	40'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Fountain Grass

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Southern Magnolia

No — EdibleYes — 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.

Southern Magnolia

✓Protect from winter winds in northern range.
✓Give space for lower branches to sweep the ground.
✓Leaves are slow to decompose.
✓Large seed pods with red seeds.

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 Southern Magnolia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Fountain GrassProfile →View Southern MagnoliaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fountain Grass and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

Do Fountain Grass and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Southern Magnolia needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Fountain Grass or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Fountain Grass and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Fountain Grass or Southern Magnolia?

Both Fountain Grass and Southern Magnolia 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	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Poaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	grasses	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	4'	80'
Spread	3'	40'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	Southeastern US
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.

Southern Magnolia

✓Protect from winter winds in northern range.
✓Give space for lower branches to sweep the ground.
✓Leaves are slow to decompose.
✓Large seed pods with red seeds.

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 Southern Magnolia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fountain Grass and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

Do Fountain Grass and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Southern Magnolia needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Fountain Grass or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Fountain Grass at 4'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Fountain Grass spreads 3'.

Are Fountain Grass and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Fountain Grass or Southern Magnolia?

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