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How to Grow Epazote

Dysphania ambrosioides

Tender Warm Season Continuous Harvest

When to Start

Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 10°C and soil has warmed to at least 18°C.

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Growth Stages

Sow seeds
Germination ~10d
Harvest ~55d

Approximate days from start

Care Essentials

  • Light liquid feed every 3-4 weeks. Epazote is not a heavy feeder — too much nitrogen reduces the intensity of its pungent flavour.
  • Essential Mexican culinary herb with a strong, pungent, petroleum-like aroma. Self-seeds prolifically — remove flowers before seed sets to prevent it spreading. Drought-tolerant once established; prefers poor to moderately fertile soil.

Companion Planting

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Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature: 18°C+
Germination temperature: 18–24°C

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Spacing & Planting

Plant spacing 30 cm
Row spacing 35 cm
Sow depth 0 cm
Mature height 90 cm
Mature spread 40 cm

Allow adequate spacing for its tall, branching habit. Can grow 60-120 cm tall.

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Care Guide

Feeding
Light liquid feed every 3-4 weeks. Epazote is not a heavy feeder — too much nitrogen reduces the intensity of its pungent flavour.
Watch for
  • Aphids
  • Whitefly
  • Leaf miners
  • Cold damage

Pests & Diseases

Pest Aphids

Identification: Small soft-bodied insects on shoot tips and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew residue

Organic treatment:
  • Strong water spray to dislodge colonies
  • Insecticidal soap
  • Encourage ladybirds and lacewings
Chemical treatment:
  • Approved systemic insecticides
Pest Whitefly

Identification: Tiny white flies rising from leaves when disturbed; sticky honeydew on foliage

Organic treatment:
  • Yellow sticky traps
  • Insecticidal soap
  • Encourage natural predators
Chemical treatment:
  • Approved systemic insecticides
Disease Damping Off

Symptoms: Seedling collapse at soil level; thin, weak stems

Treatment: Remove affected seedlings; improve air circulation and reduce watering

Prevention: Use sterile compost; avoid overwatering; ensure good ventilation

Disease Root Rot

Symptoms: Yellowing leaves, wilting despite moist soil, blackened roots

Treatment: Improve drainage; reduce watering frequency; remove affected plants

Prevention: Free-draining soil or compost; avoid overwatering

Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature18°C
Germination temperature18–24°C
Base growth temperature10°C
Min. daylength to start10h
Photoperiod sensitivityday neutral

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Epazote?
Plant Epazote 30cm apart with 35cm between rows.
When can I harvest Epazote?
Epazote is ready to harvest approximately 35 days after transplanting.
Is Epazote frost hardy?
Epazote is classified as Tender.

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