White Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘White’ or Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Alba’, depending on the variety) is a graceful, warm-season ornamental grass admired for its soft, arching foliage and showy, white flower plumes. A cultivated variety of the popular fountain grass species, this plant adds a light, airy elegance to gardens and landscapes with its bright, silvery-white blooms that catch the sun and sway gently in the breeze.

Typically forming rounded clumps of slender, green to bluish-green leaves, White Fountain Grass can grow between 2 to 4 feet tall and wide, depending on the specific cultivar and growing conditions. During summer and into fall, the plant produces long, feathery flower spikes that rise above the foliage, displaying creamy-white to silvery seed heads that resemble soft bottlebrushes. These blooms not only create a striking contrast against the green leaves but also persist well into winter, adding seasonal interest and texture to the landscape.

This ornamental grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. While it prefers moderate moisture, it is relatively drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for water-wise gardens. It grows as a perennial in USDA Zones 6–9, although in colder climates, it may be treated as an annual or protected with mulch over winter.

White Fountain Grass is prized for its versatility and ease of use in both formal and informal landscapes. It works beautifully in borders, mass plantings, rock gardens, and containers. Its light-colored plumes make it an excellent contrast plant alongside darker-leaved perennials or shrubs. It also pairs well with flowering plants, adding softness and movement to mixed beds and borders. In naturalized or prairie-style plantings, it contributes to a dynamic, flowing aesthetic.

In addition to its visual appeal, White Fountain Grass is generally pest and disease-resistant, deer-tolerant, and attracts beneficial pollinators. Its seed heads, while sterile in some cultivars, are often favored by birds, and its dense foliage can offer shelter to small garden creatures.

To maintain its form and vigor, White Fountain Grass benefits from a hard pruning in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. This encourages fresh foliage and ensures the plant remains tidy and attractive throughout the growing season.

Overall, White Fountain Grass is a stunning, low-fuss ornamental that brings movement, softness, and a touch of elegance to any garden design.