How to Grow Epazotes UK | Regional Planting Calendar

Regional Planting Calendar

Region	Sow
Southern England	early March to early May
Midlands	early March to early May
Northern England	early March to early May
Scotland	early March to early May

Southern England - detail & sources

Gardener's Path: sow indoors in early spring or direct outdoors once soil reaches 70F, with no UK-region-specific dates given; this window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.

Midlands - detail & sources

Gardener's Path: sow indoors in early spring or direct outdoors once soil reaches 70F, with no UK-region-specific dates given; this window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.

Northern England - detail & sources

Gardener's Path: sow indoors in early spring or direct outdoors once soil reaches 70F, with no UK-region-specific dates given; this window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.

Scotland - detail & sources

Gardener's Path: sow indoors in early spring or direct outdoors once soil reaches 70F, with no UK-region-specific dates given; this window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.

Quick Facts

Factor	Value
Soil pH	5.2 - 8.3
Sunlight	6-6 hours direct sun
Soil texture	loose, organically rich, average to sandy soil (Gardener's Path)
Drainage	well-drained
Lifecycle	perennial in warm climates, grown as an annual elsewhere
Edible parts	leaves, stalks

At a Glance

Soil & Growing Conditions

Water: drought-tolerant once established; keep moist during germination (Gardener's Path)

Soil pH range

5.2 8.3

Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.

Growth Stages

Stage	BBCH	Notes
Sowing	0	Soak seeds 24 hours, then sow indoors in early spring or direct outdoors at 70F soil temperature, lightly pressed in with only a scant cover; germinates in 7-14 days (Gardener's Path).
Thinning	1	Thin seedlings to 6in apart; succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous supply (Gardener's Path).
Leaf growth	3	Grows quickly to 4ft tall by 18in wide; drought-tolerant once established, needing minimal care (Gardener's Path).
Harvest	8	First harvest at 55 days; cut or tear young leaves from the centre stem (Gardener's Path).

Harvest & Storage

When to pick: Harvest by cutting or tearing young leaves from the centre stem, beginning at 55 days after sowing; young leaves have a milder, richer flavour than older ones. Refrigerate wrapped in a damp paper towel for up to 3 weeks, or store upright in water; can also be air-dried hanging upside down for 7-10 days and kept in an airtight container (Gardener's Path). CRITICAL: use only in small quantities -- contains the toxin ascaridole.

Diseases

Lettuce mosaic virus

moderate

Gardener's Path names this directly: the plant acts as a host reservoir with no treatment available.

Tomato spotted wilt

moderate

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)

Gardener's Path names this directly: the plant acts as a host reservoir with no treatment available.

Pests

Thrips

moderate

Thysanoptera

Gardener's Path names this directly: thrips, treatable with insecticidal soap.

Epazote, Handle With Care

A kerosene-scented Mexican herb

Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides), also called Mexican tea, grows to about 4ft tall with long, serrated leaves emitting a fairly strong, kerosene-like odour.

Thrives in lean, well-draining soil

Full sun on loose, organically rich to sandy, well-draining soil -- extra fertiliser actually produces less flavourful leaves.

Use only in small quantities

CRITICAL: epazote contains the toxin ascaridole -- overconsumption can cause serious harm. Use sparingly, and avoid entirely for young children and pregnant women.

First harvest at 55 days

Matures to its first harvest in 55 days -- young leaves, cut or torn from the centre stem, have a milder, richer flavour than older ones.

Seeds need light to germinate

Seeds are soaked 24 hours then sown with only a scant cover of soil, since they need light to germinate -- taking 7-14 days, faster with bottom heat.

References

1. Gardener's Path -- Tier 2, used as the primary source as the RHS species page is a stub with no growing detail, explicitly disclosed - How to Plant and Grow Epazote (Wormseed)

   A culinary herb native to Mexico, Central and South America, growing to about 4ft tall with long, serrated leaves emitting a fairly strong, kerosene-like odour; small, pale yellow-greenish flowers. Also called Jesuit's tea, Mexican tea, wormseed. USDA zones 8-12 as a perennial, 4-12 grown as an annual (frost-tender). Full sun. Soil: loose, organically rich, average, sandy, well-draining; pH 5.2-8.3; extra fertiliser produces less flavourful leaves. Sow indoors in early spring or direct outdoors at 70F soil temperature, seeds soaked 24 hours then lightly pressed in with scant cover; germinates in 7-14 days, faster with bottom heat; thin to 6in apart; succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Reaches 4ft tall by 18in wide, maturing to first harvest in 55 days. Harvest by cutting or tearing young leaves from the centre stem -- young leaves are milder yet richer in flavour than older ones. Pests: thrips, treatable with insecticidal soap. Diseases: lettuce mosaic virus, tomato spotted wilt virus -- the plant acts as a host reservoir for these viruses with no treatment available; severe infections require plant removal. CRITICAL WARNING: contains ascaridole, a toxin -- overconsumption may cause deafness, vertigo, paralysis, incontinence, jaundice, sweating, and even death; use only in small quantities, and avoid entirely for young children and pregnant women.

1 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.