Teff

Eragrostis tef

Poaceae (Grass)

The world's smallest grain — tough, nutritious, gluten-free, and the base of Ethiopian injera. Heat-tolerant.

EdibleAnnualDrought-toughSurvival cropStaple caloriesNutrient-dense

Teff (Eragrostis tef) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek

Sun

Full sun

Water

Low

Soil

Tolerant

pH

6.0–7.5

Hardiness

Warm-season annual

Height

1–4 ft

Spacing

Broadcast

Days to harvest

90–120

What it is

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is in the Poaceae (Grass) family. The world's smallest grain — tough, nutritious, gluten-free, and the base of Ethiopian injera. Heat-tolerant.

How to grow it

It wants full sun, water it low, and give it tolerant soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.5. Space plants about Broadcast apart. Expect roughly 90–120. Warm-season annual.

How it's used

Teff is used: ground to flour (injera).

🔎 How to identify it

Fine grass blades
Wispy seed heads
Very small seeds

Edibility

PartsGrain

UsesGround to flour (injera)

CautionTiny seed; harvest carefully.

🌤 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.