White Flower Farm
Cenchrus setaceus 'Sky Rocket'
Best low-maintenance ornamental grass for container and border gardeners.
Cenchrus setaceus 'Sky Rocket', a striking sport of 'Fireworks', forms an attractive vase-like clump with slender, white-margined leaves that maintain their variegation all season. This ornamental grass produces arching plumes of smoky pink flowers that bloom continuously from midsummer to fall because they are sterile, which is an environmental benefit. It is excellent for containers or annual border designs. As a Fountain Grass, it offers graceful mounding form and is generally pest- and disease-free. It thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil, showing good drought and humidity tolerance once established.
$13.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1693
/ 3084
#1693 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-50%
Below average
Common Name
Fountain Grass
/ Fountain Grass
Who it's for
- Designers looking for architectural height in container arrangements
- Gardeners seeking high-contrast foliage for visual interest
- Busy homeowners needing low-maintenance, drought-tolerant landscaping
Who should skip it
- Low-effort gardeners avoiding seasonal maintenance and cleanup tasks
- Cold-climate gardeners wanting permanent, year-round perennial plantings
- Shade-garden owners lacking consistent, direct sunlight
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Variegated foliage and smoky plumes create a high-contrast architectural statement.
Invasiveness Control
Sterile blooms eliminate the risk of unwanted self-sowing in your garden.
Drought Resilience
Established plants handle dry spells with impressive grace and minimal fuss.
Maintenance Ease
Naturally pest-free growth requires very little intervention throughout the season.
Container Versatility
The compact, mounding habit is perfectly scaled for decorative patio pots.
Bloom Longevity
Sterility extends the flowering window from midsummer well into autumn.
Key Specs
Common Name
Fountain Grass
Hardiness Zone
Annual
Exposure
Full Sun
Blooms In
Summer to Fall
Mature Height
3 feet
Mature Spread
24 inches
Spacing
18 inches
Ships as
1 PINT 28.86 CU IN.
Features
- Slender, white-margined leaves maintain variegation throughout the season.
- Forms an attractive, vase-like clump.
- Produces sterile, smoky pink flowers that bloom longer from midsummer to fall.
- Sterile nature prevents self-sowing and potential invasiveness.
- Resilient and adaptable to various soil types.
- Tolerant of dry soils and periods of drought.
- Graceful mounding form characteristic of Fountain Grass.
- Generally pest- and disease-free.
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the 'Sky Rocket' grass for its exceptional design impact, noting the striking vertical growth and vibrant variegation that elevates garden aesthetics. Reviewers frequently highlight the superior quality of the plants received, emphasizing their robust health and reliable performance throughout the growing season. This ornamental grass is seen as a high impact, low maintenance addition, justifying its premium positioning.
Know before you buy
No, this variety is sterile, meaning it does not produce viable seeds. This prevents it from self-sowing or becoming invasive in your garden.
For the best growth and color, plant 'Sky Rocket' in a location that receives full sun. This exposure ensures the foliage maintains its vibrant variegation and encourages continuous blooming.
This grass is excellent for containers due to its graceful, vase-like mounding habit. Just ensure your pot has good drainage to keep the soil from becoming waterlogged.
This variety is considered deer-resistant, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where deer pressure is a concern.
While it shows good drought and humidity tolerance once established, it performs best with regular watering during dry spells. It prefers well-drained soil and will not tolerate sitting in standing water.
Cenchrus setaceus 'Sky Rocket' is grown as an annual. It is best suited for seasonal interest in borders or pots throughout the summer and fall.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$14