Pearl millet Cenchrus americanus
Pearl millet (Cenchrus americanus) is an annual grass in the Poaceae family, native to Domesticated in the West African Sahel. It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 12 °C (54 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Pearl millet in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Pearl millet at a glance
| Type | Annual grass |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 12 °C (54 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 45 °C (113 °F) |
| Flowering | about 6–9 weeks after planting, for 1–3 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: grain |
| Native to | Domesticated in the West African Sahel |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇮🇳 India, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇰🇪 Kenya |
Is Pearl millet toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 Pearl millet
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Pearl millet
- How far apart should I plant Pearl millet?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Pearl millet need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pearl millet need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pearl millet?
- It tolerates about 12 °C (54 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Pearl millet flower?
- About 6–9 weeks after planting, for 1–3 weeks.
- Is Pearl millet 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. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Pearl millet?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pearl millet. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Formerly Pennisetum glaucum. The most heat- and drought-tolerant cereal; purple-leaved forms are grown as ornamentals.
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
- Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata
- Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium