Sorghum nigrum

RHS Plant Profile
black millet

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black millet visionspictures.com
black millet visionspictures.com
Annual Biennial
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A tall, upright, annual plant with green, strappy leaves. Flower spikes are covered in small greenish-brown flowers, ageing to dark brown. Can be grown in the UK as a bedding plant, providing height and structure in bedding displays

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
A large annual or sometimes perennial grass, native to Africa, with bushy brown-red flowerheads of edible, starchy grains. These are cultivated for human and animal feed as well as the production of ethanol
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. If sown indoors, harden off before planting outside, after the risk of frosts has passed

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Sow indoors in early spring or direct sow in late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Bedding
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Cut down and remove in autumn or spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free