Sorghum bicolor (Great Millet)

Botanical name: Sorghum bicolor

Common names: Great Millet, Broomcorn, Milo

Family: Poaceae

Origin: Africa

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Hardiness: 35°F

Sorghum bicolor (Sorghum) is a tall annual grass native to Africa, widely cultivated in warm climates for both ornamental and practical purposes. Reaching 3 15 ft in height, it produces upright stems topped with dense seed heads that can be loose and open or tight and compact depending on the variety. The leaves are long, arching, and grass‑like, lending a bold vertical accent in the garden. Seeds range in color from white and yellow to red and dark brown, and are valued for grain, syrup, and bird feed. Some ornamental forms are grown for their striking seed panicles and deep‑colored foliage.

This heat‑loving plant thrives in full sun and well‑drained soil, tolerating drought once established. Water regularly during early growth, then reduce as plants mature. Sorghum is best suited for USDA Zones 9 11 as a warm‑season annual and can be sown directly in the ground after frost danger passes. In cooler climates, it is grown as a summer ornamental or grain crop. Provide shelter from strong winds to prevent lodging of the tall stems.