You care for fountain grass with four simple tasks. Water deep but not often. Cut it back in late winter. Divide it every three years. Add a light feed in spring. That's the whole list. Get these four things right and your fountain grass will thrive for a decade or more with very little effort on your part.
My fountain grass maintenance routine follows the seasons and takes almost no time. In late February, I grab hedge shears and cut every clump down to about 4 inches (10 cm) above the ground. It looks harsh, but your plant needs this reset. By mid-April, fresh green blades push up through the stubble and fill out fast. Through summer I sit back and enjoy the plumes. Fall turns the leaves golden, and I leave the dried stems standing all winter for structure and crown protection in my beds.
Each care task has a clear reason behind it. Your late-winter cutback removes old dead growth so new blades grow clean. This gives you better air flow at the base and stops fungal problems before they start. Division every three years keeps the center of your clump from dying out. As your fountain grass crown ages, the inner roots run out of steam and new growth moves to the outer ring. When I first split my oldest clump, the center was all dead brown roots with zero life left.
Fountain grass watering and pruning are the two jobs you'll do most often. For watering, soak your root zone with about 1 inch of water per week during the first growing season. This builds strong roots. After that first year, your fountain grass lives on rainfall in most climates. Only add water during dry spells that last more than two or three weeks. NC State Extension says fountain grass has no major pest or disease issues. You won't need to spray or treat for anything in a normal year.
Your feeding plan stays light and easy. Apply a handful of 10-10-10 balanced food around each clump in early spring right after you cut back. Let rain wash it into your soil. Skip the food if your soil already has good organic matter in it. Too much nitrogen pushes leaf growth at the cost of plumes. Less is more here. Wisconsin Extension adds that dividing on schedule keeps your plants strong enough that heavy feeding isn't needed.
Here's your full annual care plan in one spot. February or March: cut back to 4 inches. April: apply light food and divide if it's year three. May through September: water only during long dry spells. October: stop all watering and enjoy your golden fall show. November through January: leave dried stems up for winter interest. Follow this simple schedule and your fountain grass will reward you in every season with almost no work from you at all.
Read the full article: Fountain Grass: Complete Growing Guide
