Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Foxtail Millet — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Setaria italica |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 4–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–32.2 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 55–80 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 2.5–7.6 |
| Mature height (cm) | 61–121.9 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 10.2–25.4 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 4–10 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Broadcast at roughly 0.5-1 lb per 1,000 sq ft and rake to cover about 0.5 inch deep in warm, firm soil. Foxtail millet is exceptionally drought tolerant and matures quickly, making it ideal for filling short summer windows between cash crops. Its fibrous roots improve soil tilth while the dense canopy shades out weeds. Mow before the seed heads harden to prevent reseeding, then incorporate or leave the residue as surface mulch. In cold regions frost will terminate any remaining plants at season's end.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
OpenPlantDB · foxtail-millet-cover
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0