Grain Sorghum (Milo)

Sorghum bicolor

Poaceae (Grass)

The drought crop that yields grain when corn fails. Gluten-free, storable, and bred for hot dry climates.

EdibleAnnualFull sunDrought-toughHeat-loverStores wellSurvival cropStaple calories

Grain Sorghum (Milo) (Sorghum bicolor) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek

Sun

Full sun

Water

Very low — drought champion

Soil

Tolerant

pH

5.5–7.5

Hardiness

Warm-season annual

Height

3–6 ft

Spacing

6–8 in

Days to harvest

95–120

What it is

Grain Sorghum (Milo) (Sorghum bicolor) is in the Poaceae (Grass) family. The drought crop that yields grain when corn fails. Gluten-free, storable, and bred for hot dry climates.

How to grow it

It wants full sun, water it very low — drought champion, and give it tolerant soil. Target a soil pH around 5.5–7.5. Space plants about 6–8 in apart. Expect roughly 95–120. Warm-season annual.

How it's used

Grain Sorghum (Milo) is used: ground to flour; porridge; popped.

🔎 How to identify it

Corn-like but shorter stalk
Dense seed head on top
Reddish or tan grain

Edibility

PartsGrain

UsesGround to flour; porridge; popped

CautionDry fully before storing.

🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.