Pearl Millet

Pennisetum glaucum

Poaceae (Grass)

A drought- and heat-proof grain that yields where corn won't. Gluten-free, storable, and good wildlife forage too.

EdibleAnnualDrought-toughHeat-loverSurvival cropStaple calories

Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek

Sun

Full sun

Water

Very low — drought-tough

Soil

Tolerant, even sandy

pH

5.5–7.0

Hardiness

Warm-season annual

Height

4–8 ft

Spacing

6–8 in

Days to harvest

75–100

What it is

Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is in the Poaceae (Grass) family. A drought- and heat-proof grain that yields where corn won't. Gluten-free, storable, and good wildlife forage too.

How to grow it

It wants full sun, water it very low — drought-tough, and give it tolerant, even sandy soil. Target a soil pH around 5.5–7.0. Space plants about 6–8 in apart. Expect roughly 75–100. Warm-season annual.

How it's used

Pearl Millet is used: ground to flour; porridge.

🔎 How to identify it

Tall corn-like stalk
Dense cylindrical seed head
Drought-tough

Edibility

PartsGrain

UsesGround to flour; porridge

CautionDry fully before storage.

🌤 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.