Panicum miliaceum

RHS Plant Profile
common millet

Other common names

broom corn millet, French millet, hog millet, Russian millet, Indian millet

Grass Like Annual Biennial

Upright, clump-forming annual about 90cm in height, with flat, narrow, mid-green leaves 40cm long, sometimes purple-flushed. Produces panicles of slightly arching, purple-tinged green flowers, in small spikelets 6mm long, in late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Panicum can be annual or perennial, evergreen or deciduous grasses, with flat, narrowly lanceolate leaves, with large finely branched panicles of small spikelets in late summer or autumn
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. See Ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Bedding
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring to aid overwintering beneficial insects

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free