Sorghum Sorghum bicolor
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is an annual grass in the Poaceae family, native to Domesticated in north-east Africa (Sudan, Ethiopia). It grows 1–4 m (3.3–13 ft) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Sorghum in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sorghum at a glance
| Type | Annual grass |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 1–4 m (3.3–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 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 low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–11 weeks after planting, for 1–3 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 110 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: grain, sweet stalks (sweet sorghum) |
| Native to | Domesticated in north-east Africa (Sudan, Ethiopia) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇮🇳 India, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Sorghum toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: young leaves, regrowth
Young and drought-stressed growth can release cyanide (dhurrin): dangerous to grazing animals.
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 Sorghum
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Sorghum
- How far apart should I plant Sorghum?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Sorghum need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sorghum need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Sorghum?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Sorghum flower?
- About 9–11 weeks after planting, for 1–3 weeks.
- Is Sorghum poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Young and drought-stressed growth can release cyanide (dhurrin): dangerous to grazing animals.
- What grows well with Sorghum?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sorghum. 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
- The world’s fifth cereal; ornamental broom-corn heads dry well.
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