Key Facts
- Warm season annual grass grown for grain forage and bioenergy
- Prefers full sun and warm temperatures
- Tolerant of drought and moderate soil fertility
- Flowers in mid to late summer depending on planting date
- Usually propagated by seed
- Can contain cyanogenic compounds when drought or frost stressed
- Height varies widely by cultivar from a few feet to over 8 ft
- Often grown as an annual outside frost free tropical areas
Great Millet Sorghum bicolor is a warm season grass grown for grain forage and bioenergy. It prefers full sun and warm dry conditions and is usually established from seed.
Identification and size
Great Millet is an annual grass in most gardens with varieties that range from about 3 to 10 feet tall depending on cultivar and growing conditions. Flowering usually occurs in mid to late summer when planted in spring and seed heads form after bloom.
Where to grow and common uses
Grow Great Millet in full sun for grain forage or biomass. It tolerates drought and moderate soil fertility which makes it useful on dry garden plots and for summer forage. In USDA zones 8 to 11 some types can persist between seasons; in colder areas treat it as a summer annual.
Soil light and spacing
Plant in well drained loam or sandy soil. The plant tolerates low fertility but performs poorly in waterlogged ground which can reduce growth and cause root problems. Sorghum grows in clumps rather than spreading by runners and clumps typically measure about 12 to 36 inches across in row plantings depending on seeding rate and cultivar.
Planting and propagation
Direct seed outdoors after the last frost in temperate regions. You can start seed indoors and transplant in warm climates. Seed is the usual propagation method for both garden and small acreage plantings.
Watering and care
Great Millet establishes best with regular moisture early on and becomes drought tolerant once established. Avoid poor drainage to prevent root issues. After flowering manage seedheads if you do not want plants to reestablish from volunteer seed in frost free areas.
Harvest grazing and safety
Harvest grain or cut forage after heads mature. Foliage can produce prussic acid under drought or frost stress which can poison livestock in some situations. Grain is safe when processed for food or feed. Consult local extension before grazing sorghum or feeding stressed plant material to animals.
Control and naturalizing
Great Millet does not creep by roots but it can reestablish from seed in warm frost free regions. To limit volunteer plants remove or mow seedheads before seeds mature.
Starting indoors and containers
Seedlings can be started indoors and transplanted once warm conditions arrive. Typical garden containers limit maximum growth so choose large pots and plan for a single season in cooler climates.
Frequently asked questions
- How fast does Great Millet grow?
- Growth rate varies by cultivar and conditions but many types reach several feet and produce seed within a single warm season. Heights commonly range from about 3 to 10 feet.
- Is Great Millet toxic to animals?
- The plant can produce prussic acid in drought or after frost which can be hazardous to livestock. Grain is safe when processed. Verify grazing safety with local extension for your situation.
- Can it overwinter where I live?
- In USDA zones 8 to 11 some types can overwinter or reseed. In cooler zones it is frost tender and usually grown as a summer annual.
- How should I water Great Millet?
- Keep soil evenly moist during establishment. Once established plants tolerate drought but will not thrive in poorly drained soils.
- How should I space or sow it?
- Direct seed is standard. Space seedings so mature clumps are roughly 12 to 36 inches or 30 to 90 centimeters apart depending on seeding rate and cultivar.
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