Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the patio, or anywhere else, sorghum is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing sorghum, also known as jowar.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Sorghum Belong To?
Sorghum (Sorghum spp., most commonly Sorghum bicolor) belongs to the Poaceae family, also known as the grass family.
Some of its relatives include oats, corn, and lemongrass.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Sorghum?
The minimum container size recommended for sorghum is 15 gallons.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Sorghum?
Some of sorghum's best companions are as follows:
- Beans like green beans
- Peas
- Squash
- Melons
- Clover
- Flax
- Buckwheat
- Alfalfa
- Oats
- Corn
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Sorghum?
Sorghum is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with sorghum are as follows:
- Marshmallow
- Chard
- Watercress
- Fennel
What Soil Conditions Does Sorghum Need?
Sorghum prefers fertile, loamy, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
How Long Does Sorghum Take to Germinate?
Sorghum takes 4-10 days to germinate at a temperature of 60-90°F.
How Much Sun Does Sorghum Need?
Sorghum grows best in full sun.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and sorghum grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need some shade.
How Much Water Does Sorghum Need?
Sorghum needs half an inch of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Sorghum?
Sorghum grows fastest in temperatures of 70-90°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some sorghum varieties are bred for late fall harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Sorghum Get?
The average height of sorghum is 2-9 feet.
Is Sorghum Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Most sorghum varieties annual, meaning that they start and end their lives in the same year.
However, a few tropical varieties are perennial, meaning that they live for longer than a couple years.
How Does Sorghum Reproduce?
Sorghum reproduces by seed. The grains we eat are the seeds of the plant.
How Much Sorghum is Produced Per Plant?
For sorghum, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and variety.
Most sorghum plants produce 1/4 to 1/2 cup of grain per plant.
Can Sorghum Be Ingested?
Sorghum seeds (grains) and sap are edible. Sorghum stalks are edible when cooked.
Sorghum seeds have demulcent and diuretic properties and can be used in herbal preparations. Sorghum stalks have antimicrobial properties and can also be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a sorghum tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting sorghum seeds, sap, or stalks.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of sorghum rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for sorghum here!
Sorghum is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: