Setaria viridis Seeds | Green Foxtail
LATIN NAME: Setaria viridis
COMMON NAME: Green Foxtail
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Green Foxtail (Setaria viridis) is a hardy, annual in the grass family. Green foxtail waves dense, cylindrical, bristly spikes above narrow leaves, the whole clump standing in the light, airy look of the roadside verge. It is a plant of open, sunny, light, well-drained ground. The blooms are worked steadily by bees for as long as they are open. Gardeners value it precisely for this blend of qualities.
Science & Biotechnology
Setaria viridis sits in the grass family, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Contemporary seed practice means a grower can raise it confidently with standard techniques.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Green Foxtail has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. It is a light, useful plant of open, sunny, light, well-drained garden. Foxtail seeds grow readily in a fine, gritty mix on a bright sill. It takes hold quickly and asks for no special treatment from then on.
Foxtail millet, xiaomi, is an ancient drought-proof grain, low-glycemic and mineral-rich, central to northern Chinese congee and to modern gluten-free diets.
Growing from Seed
Green Foxtail grows readily from seed. Surface-sow onto a light, well-drained compost, dust over a thin covering, and keep evenly moist and sunny until the seedlings show. Shift the seedlings into small pots as soon as they can be handled, and give them bright light until planting-out time.
Our Take
Its long record of traditional use, described above, gives the plant a story beyond ornament. Green Foxtail settles in quickly once it finds its footing. Start with fresh seed, keep it evenly moist, and the plant does the rest itself.
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