Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Penisetum massaicum Red Bunny Tails bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called red bunny tails grass, massaicum fountain grass (Pennisetum massaicum 'Red Bunny Tails').
More about penisetum massaicum red bunny tails
About Penisetum massaicum Red Bunny Tails
Pennisetum massaicum 'Red Bunny Tails' · also called red bunny tails grass, massaicum fountain grass · flowering
'Red Bunny Tails' is a compact African fountain grass grown for its fuzzy, oval, two-toned flower heads that open burgundy-red and age to soft tan, bobbing like rabbit tails above fine green foliage all summer. It thrives in heat and full sun, makes an excellent container and cut-flower grass, and is tender, usually grown as an annual in cool climates.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Poor flowering in shade: Insufficient sun gives lank growth and few bunny-tail plumes. Site in the hottest, sunniest position available.
The reasons penisetum massaicum red bunny tails isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming penisetum massaicum red bunny tails traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding penisetum massaicum red bunny tails a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get penisetum massaicum red bunny tails to flower
- Maximise sun. Give penisetum massaicum red bunny tails the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for penisetum massaicum red bunny tails and get the feeding right with the penisetum massaicum red bunny tails fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Penisetum massaicum Red Bunny Tails flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full penisetum massaicum red bunny tails care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Penisetum massaicum Red Bunny Tails blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my penisetum massaicum red bunny tails flower?
Penisetum massaicum Red Bunny Tails blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make penisetum massaicum red bunny tails bloom?
Give penisetum massaicum red bunny tails the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does penisetum massaicum red bunny tails normally bloom?
Penisetum massaicum Red Bunny Tails flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with penisetum massaicum red bunny tails after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping penisetum massaicum red bunny tails flowering?
Feeding penisetum massaicum red bunny tails a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Penisetum massaicum Red Bunny Tails care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Penisetum massaicum Red Bunny Tails light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Penisetum massaicum Red Bunny Tails fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 1410 bloom guides in the Growli library