How to Grow Epazotes USA

Soil & Growing Conditions

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

Soil pH range

6.5 7.5

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 70°F 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).

Quick Facts

Factor	Value
Soil pH	6.5 - 7.5
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

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

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.

What the research guides add

Epazote is a Mexican herb that NC State also classes as a weed, which tells you how easily it grows.

• An annual or short-lived perennial from the tropical Americas that grows 2 to 5 feet tall with many irregular side branches. (NC State Extension)
• It does best in full sun and moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil, but also grows in sandy and rocky soils of disturbed sites. (NC State Extension)
• It flowers from summer into fall, sets numerous seeds and readily reseeds. (NC State Extension)
• The leaves are used in Mexican dishes and are said to negate the gas-causing effects of beans; NC State cautions that the dose used medicinally to remove intestinal worms can be toxic. (NC State Extension)

Epazote in the USA: climate data

Dates are the median 32°F freeze dates and freeze-free days from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020; zones come from the USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map (ZIP code of each city centre).

Sources for this section

• NC State Extension: Dysphania ambrosioides (Plant Toolbox)

Section researched and checked on 25 October 2026 by the SoilCommander Editorial Team. How we check facts: editorial policy.

Sources

The full list of 6 sources behind this guide (Gardener's Path, Plants For A Future (PFAF), Royal Horticultural Society and others) is in the references of our UK guide to epazote; they describe the plant itself, which is the same wherever it grows.