Fonio (white fonio, acha) Digitaria exilis
Fonio (white fonio, acha) (Digitaria exilis) is an annual vegetable in the Poaceae family, native to West Africa (domesticated in the inland Niger delta region; Senegal to Nigeria and Cameroon). It grows 30–75 cm (12–30 in) tall and 15–30 cm (6–12 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 8 °C (46 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
Plan Fonio (white fonio, acha) in your garden →
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Fonio (white fonio, acha) at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 30–75 cm (12–30 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 8 °C (46 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 7–11 weeks after planting, for 1–3 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: grain (couscous, porridge, beer) |
| Native to | West Africa (domesticated in the inland Niger delta region; Senegal to Nigeria and Cameroon) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇬 Nigeria |
Is Fonio (white fonio, acha) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Fonio (white fonio, acha)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Fonio (white fonio, acha)
- How far apart should I plant Fonio (white fonio, acha)?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
- Does Fonio (white fonio, acha) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fonio (white fonio, acha) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Fonio (white fonio, acha)?
- It tolerates about 8 °C (46 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Fonio (white fonio, acha) flower?
- About 7–11 weeks after planting, for 1–3 weeks.
- Is Fonio (white fonio, acha) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Fonio (white fonio, acha)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fonio (white fonio, acha). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Lost Crops of Africa, vol. I Grains (1996), II Vegetables (2006), III Fruits (2008), National Research Council, National Academies Press, Washington DC
- PROTA4U: Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, PROTA Foundation, Wageningen
Notes and assumptions
- Perhaps the oldest West African cereal: a tiny-grained, fast millet that ripens in 6–12 weeks on poor, sandy soil, so it feeds families in the "hungry season" before other crops. The grain is very small and hard to husk.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium