Finger Millet: An Unusual Annual Grass Worth Considering
If you’re looking to add something a bit different to your garden this year, finger millet (Eleusine coracana) might just be the quirky annual grass you didn’t know you needed. This interesting plant offers both ornamental appeal and practical benefits, though it comes with some considerations worth knowing about.
What Exactly is Finger Millet?
Finger millet is an annual grass that gets its memorable name from its distinctive seed heads, which spread out like fingers from the top of the plant. These finger-like spikes give the plant a unique architectural quality that sets it apart from typical lawn grasses. As a member of the grass family, it has that familiar grass-like appearance but with much more personality.
The Not-So-Native Story
Here’s something important to know upfront: finger millet isn’t a native North American plant. Originally from Africa, this introduced species has found its way into parts of the United States, particularly California and South Carolina, where it now grows and reproduces on its own in the wild.
While it’s not considered invasive at this time, it’s always worth considering native grass alternatives that can provide similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems. Native options like little bluestem or buffalo grass might be worth exploring depending on your region.
Why Gardeners Might Want to Grow It
Despite its non-native status, finger millet has some appealing qualities that make it worth considering:
- Unique ornamental value with its distinctive finger-like seed heads
- Excellent drought tolerance once established
- Fast-growing annual that provides quick results
- Edible seeds that can be harvested for food
- Good for erosion control on slopes
- Adds texture and movement to garden designs
Garden Design and Landscape Role
Finger millet works well in several garden settings. It’s particularly suited for drought-tolerant landscapes, kitchen gardens where you might harvest the seeds, or as an ornamental grass in mixed borders. The plant typically grows 2-4 feet tall and about 1-2 feet wide, making it a nice medium-sized addition that won’t overwhelm smaller spaces.
Its upright growth habit and interesting seed heads make it useful as a focal point or accent plant, and it pairs well with other drought-tolerant perennials and annuals.
Growing Conditions and Care
The good news is that finger millet is relatively easy to grow once you understand its preferences:
- Sunlight: Requires full sun for best growth and seed production
- Soil: Prefers well-drained soil but adapts to various soil types
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, but benefits from regular water during germination and early growth
- Climate: Best suited for USDA zones 8-11, but can be grown as a summer annual in cooler areas
Planting and Care Tips
Getting finger millet started is straightforward:
- Direct seed in spring after the last frost date
- Plant seeds about ¼ inch deep in prepared soil
- Space plants 6-12 inches apart
- Keep soil moist until germination occurs (usually 7-14 days)
- Once established, reduce watering frequency
- No fertilizer needed in most soils
- Harvest seeds in late summer/fall if desired
Wildlife and Pollinator Considerations
As a wind-pollinated grass, finger millet doesn’t offer significant benefits to pollinators like bees and butterflies. However, the seeds can provide food for birds, particularly finches and other seed-eating species.
The Bottom Line
Finger millet can be an interesting addition to the right garden, especially if you’re looking for drought-tolerant plants with unique visual appeal. While it’s not native and doesn’t support local ecosystems like native plants do, it’s not currently problematic either. Just remember to consider native alternatives first, and if you do choose to grow finger millet, enjoy its distinctive character and easy-care nature.
Whether you’re drawn to its unusual appearance, drought tolerance, or edible seeds, finger millet proves that sometimes the most interesting plants are the ones you least expect to encounter in a garden center.
