Species pearl millet
purple-cream flowers with lavender leaves and brown stems

pearl millet

Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron'

Pearl millet, also known as Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron', produces stunning purple heads of grain in late summer. This easy to grow millet and is great for those that have low rain or poor soils as it can handle dry climates quite well. It requires very little maintenance and produces impressive yields even in frosty weather. Its leaves have a fine texture and create a lush look when planted in groups or mixed with other plants. The panicles of tiny tubular flowers it produces from mid-summer look like little millet pearls, attracting birds and beneficial insects to the garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 11

Flowers:

Purple Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

purple

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Pearl millets (Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron') should be watered on a regular basis to ensure healthy growth. Watering should take place at least once per week, or more if the soil is very dry. It is best to water the plants in the morning, as this ensures that the plant has enough time to dry off before the evening. If the soil is already moist, then only water the plant when the topsoil feels dry to the touch. Additionally, it may be helpful to check the moisture content of the soil at least every other day. It is also important to remember that Pearl Millets do not like water logged soil, so be sure not to over-water them.

sunlight

Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron') is a warm-season grass that grows best in full sun. In warm climates, it should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. If grown in partial shade, the plants may not produce as much grain and may lack the deep purple coloring. In cooler climates, Pearl Millet can tolerate up to 4 hours of direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. If the plants are experiencing extended periods of shade, it is best to plant them in a sunny location to ensure they are receiving enough sunlight for optimal growth.

pruning

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron') should be lightly pruned during the late summer or early fall. Pruning should be minimal, and should involve removing dead or broken stems, as well as thinning out the tips of the branches to encourage new growth. Pruning should also be done if the plant appears to be growing too large or too bushy. It is important to never prune more than 1-third of the total branches on the plant at any 1 time.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Pearl millet typically starts flowering in July.

Hardiness Map