在中國東北高粱的種植相當普遍，由於其莖高大可以藏人，高梁地又俗稱為「青紗帳」。在滿洲國時期，高粱花入選成為滿洲國國徽。諷刺的是，由於抗日游擊隊經常埋伏於高梁地之間，日本侵略軍曾經一度禁止農民種植高粱。高粱其他主要產區有美國、非洲和南亞，可以用作飼料。在世界糧食作物種植面積中占第五位(前四位依次為玉米、小麥、稻、大麥)。

高粱澱粉含量高，釀酒沒有其他干擾味道，適合釀造中國白酒，中國白酒中質量最高的品牌幾乎都是主要用高粱釀造的.

 Sorghum bicolor, commonly called sorghum (/ˈsɔrɡəm/) and also known as durra, jowari, or milo, is a grass species cultivated for its grain, which is used for food, both for animals and humans, and for ethanol production. Sorghum originated in northern Africa, and is now cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical regions. Sorghum is the world's fifth most important cereal crop after rice, wheat, maize and barley. S. bicolor is typically an annual, but some cultivars are perennial. It grows in clumps that may reach over 4 m high. The grain is small, ranging from 3 to 4 mm in diameter. Sweet sorghums are sorghum cultivars that are primarily grown for foliage, syrup production, and ethanol; they are taller than those grown for grain