How to Grow Sorghum: Grain, Syrup, Forage, and Beauty in the Garden

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is an ancient cereal grain that has sustained cultures for over 5,000 years. Native to Africa, it thrives in hot, dry regions where corn and wheat struggle. Today, sorghum is prized as a gluten-free grain, a natural sweetener, a forage crop, and even a striking ornamental. If you want a crop that’s versatile, resilient, and stunning, sorghum deserves a spot in your garden.

Understanding Sorghum

Type: Warm-season annual grass
Height: 3–12 feet depending on variety
USDA Zones: 7–11 (can be grown as an annual in cooler zones if summer is long and hot)
Climate: Heat- and drought-tolerant once established
Uses: Grain, syrup, animal forage, ethanol production, and ornamental

Types of Sorghum

Not all sorghum is the same! Different types serve different purposes:

Grain Sorghum (Milo)
- Shorter plants (3–5 feet)
- Grown for gluten-free grain used in porridge, flour, and popped like popcorn
Sweet Sorghum
- Tall varieties (up to 12 feet)
- Grown for stalks that are pressed to make sorghum syrup, similar to molasses
Forage Sorghum
- Grown for livestock feed
- Fast-growing, tall, and leafy
Broomcorn
- Grown for its stiff seed heads, traditionally used to make brooms
Ornamental Sorghum (including Coral Sorghum)

Stunning seed heads in coral, red, bronze, or black
Adds beauty to landscapes while still being usable for grain or birdseed.

Growing Conditions

Light: Full sun (minimum 6–8 hours daily)
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam is best, though sorghum is highly adaptable
pH: 5.5–7.5
Water: Moderate needs; drought-tolerant once established but produces better with consistent moisture

Planting Sorghum

From Seed

Timing: Sow after the last frost when soil temperature reaches 65–70°F.
Depth: Plant seeds 1 inch deep.
Spacing:
- Grain types: 4–6 inches apart in rows 24–30 inches apart.
- Forage or sweet sorghum: 6–12 inches apart.
Method: Can be direct-sown by hand in small gardens or broadcast and raked in for larger plots.

Growing Sorghum in Containers

Container size: At least 10–15 gallons with 12+ inch depth.
Varieties: Choose dwarf grain or ornamental sorghum, not tall forage types.
Soil: Potting mix with compost added for nutrients.
Care: Requires consistent watering since pots dry quickly.

Care & Maintenance

Watering: Water deeply once or twice a week. Sorghum withstands dry spells but yields better with steady moisture.
Fertilizer: Add compost or a balanced organic fertilizer at planting. Sorghum benefits from nitrogen during growth.
Weeds: Control weeds early; sorghum shades them out once established.
Support: Tall types may need staking in windy areas.

Harvesting Sorghum

Grain sorghum: Harvest when seed heads are fully dry and hard. Cut, dry further if needed, then thresh seeds out.
Sweet sorghum: Harvest stalks while still green and juicy, usually about 100–120 days after planting.
Forage sorghum: Cut when plants reach 3–4 feet tall for the best nutrition.
Ornamental sorghum: Harvest seed heads for dried arrangements once color is at peak.

Tips for Success

Rotate sorghum with legumes to enrich soil and prevent disease buildup.
Grow in blocks rather than single rows for better pollination and fuller heads.
Netting may be necessary - birds love sorghum seed heads.
For syrup types, plan ahead: processing stalks requires pressing equipment.

⚠ Cautions & Considerations

Livestock note: Forage sorghum can produce prussic acid under drought stress or after frost, which is toxic to animals if grazed too soon. Always allow cut forage to wilt before feeding.
Bird competition: Expect to share with the local wildlife unless you harvest quickly or cover seed heads.
Frost-sensitive: Even light frost can damage plants, so harvest before cold sets in.