•SiGe porous nanorod arrays were synthesized via template-assisted method.•The SiGe porous nanorod arrays were used as anode materials of Li-ion batteries.•The SiGe porous nanorod arrays show better performance than planar electrode.•The porous structure and addition of Ge is responsible for the good performance. We demonstrate the synthesis of SiGe porous nanorod arrays by using ZnO nanorod arrays as a sacrificial template. A seed-assisted method was employed to synthesize ZnO nanorod arrays which were coated by SiGe layer via a co-sputtering method. After the removal of ZnO nanorod, SiGe porous nanorod arrays were achieved. When used as an anode material of lithium-ion batteries, SiGe porous nanorod arrays showed enhanced performance compared to corresponding planar electrode and bare Si porous nanorod arrays. The good contact and adhesion of the porous nanorod arrays with the current collector, and the integration of Ge that can greatly improve the conductivity and lithium-ion diffusivity in SiGe layer, may be responsible for the enhanced performance.