Use with caution

Used as a fresh culinary herb in the small amounts that flavor a pot of beans, epazote is safe and traditional. However, the concentrated essential oil contains ascaridole and is genuinely toxic: overdoses of the oil have caused poisoning and death, and the seeds are toxic in quantity. Do not use epazote oil or strong medicinal preparations, and avoid epazote during pregnancy, as it can act on the uterus.

Epazote

Dysphania ambrosioides

herb

Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides), once classed as Chenopodium ambrosioides, is a pungent, fast-growing annual to short-lived perennial herb of the Americas, reaching 2 to 5 ft with many irregular side branches and strongly scented, oil-glanded leaves. Its leaves are the traditional seasoning for black beans and many Mexican dishes, where they add a distinctive flavor and are said to reduce the gassiness of beans. It is a tough, weedy plant that reseeds aggressively. Used as a fresh culinary herb it is safe, but its concentrated oil and seeds are toxic.

☀️

Sun

full sun

💧

Water

Every 6 days

🌾

Harvest

~50 days

📊

Difficulty

easy

🌱

Lifecycle

annual

One season, then done

↔️

Spacing

18 in apart

⬇️

Planting Depth

Barely cover the tiny seeds

🧪

Soil pH

6.0-7.5

Growing Details

Soil Type

Average, well-drained

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4 – 11

Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.

When to Fertilize

Little feeding needed

Fertilizer

Compost only; rich soil reduces aroma

🌱 Growing Guide

Grow epazote in full sun in average, well-drained soil; it is undemanding, drought tolerant, and even weedy once established. Direct sow the tiny seeds shallowly after frost, barely covering them, and thin seedlings, or set out transplants, spacing plants about 1.5 ft apart. It grows fast and self-sows freely, so deadhead before seed sets if you want to keep it in bounds, and consider growing it apart from other crops, as its root chemistry can suppress nearby plants. Pinch regularly to keep a bushy supply of fresh leaves and to delay flowering. In mild-winter areas it may persist as a short-lived perennial.

Planting Calendar

🌿

Direct sow

Apr 22

🌾

Projected first harvest

Jun 11

JJan

FFeb

MMar

AApr

MMay

JJun

JJul

AAug

SSep

OOct

NNov

DDec

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

Bean: The classic kitchen pairing; epazote is the traditional bean seasoning and grows in the same warm season
Corn: A warm-season staple that shares its growing conditions
Squash: A sprawling warm-season crop with matching needs

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

Aphids
Cluster on tender shoots; rinse off and conserve natural enemies
Leaf miners
Tunnel inside leaves; remove mined leaves
Flea beetles
Pit young leaves; use row cover on seedlings

🌾 Harvest & storage

Snip fresh epazote leaves and tender sprigs as needed throughout the warm season, using just a sprig or two to flavor a pot of beans or a dish, since the flavor is strong. Frequent picking keeps the plant bushy and productive and delays flowering. Use the leaves fresh, as the flavor fades when dried; harvest before flowering for the best quality.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Epazote is used as a flavoring herb rather than eaten in quantity. In culinary amounts it adds a distinctive aroma to beans and Mexican dishes and is traditionally believed to aid their digestion.

⚠️ Toxicity & safety

For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.