Foxtail Millet Seeds (Setaria italica)

Foxtail Millet is an ornamental and agricultural grass grown for its distinctive bushy, bottlebrush-like seed heads that resemble a fox’s tail. It is valued for both decorative use in floral arrangements and as a grain crop for food, birdseed, and forage. Its tall, upright stems and graceful flower spikes add structure and texture to garden borders, wildlife plots, and dried bouquets.

What Makes It Special

• Produces attractive foxtail-like seed heads

• Versatile: grown for ornamental, edible, and forage uses

• Excellent for dried or fresh floral arrangements

• Easy to grow, drought-tolerant and hardy

Key Features

• Botanical name: Setaria italica

• Common name: Foxtail Millet

• Seed count: Approx. seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 90–150 cm tall, 30–50 cm spread

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Flowering period: Summer to autumn

• Lifespan: Annual grass

Ideal For

• Ornamental borders

• Fresh and dried floral arrangements

• Wildlife gardens (birds love the seed heads)

• Grain production and forage

• Naturalistic or prairie-style planting

Sowing Instructions

1. When to sow: April–June outdoors after frost, or start indoors 4–6 weeks earlier

2. How to sow:

   • Sow directly into well-drained soil in a sunny spot

   • Cover lightly with soil (depth 0.5–1 cm)

   • Keep moist until germination (7–14 days)

3. Spacing: Thin or transplant to 30–40 cm apart

4. Care: Low maintenance; thrives in heat and tolerates dry soil once established