Epazote is an ambivalent edible herb. It is an integral part of Mexican cuisine, but it has a very strong taste and smell that is often likened to skunk. It is an acquired taste that is not for everyone. Growing an epazote plant yourself is easy, and it grows fast so it provides you with a supply of epazote leaves all summer long and much fresher than you will find at any grocery store or market.
The plant, which is often referred to under his old botanical name, Chenopodium ambrosioides, is a tall, narrow herb with large, soft, oval, notched leaves that grow up to 4 inches long and 1 1/2 inches across. The leaf color ranges from green to yellowish-green or reddish-green.The stems are reddish, cream-colored, or green. The strong smell of the plant comes from tiny glands on the stems and leaves that secrete a highly scented oil.The plant grows small, yellow-greenish and inconspicuous flowers from mid-summer to fall.
Planting time is in the late spring after all danger of frost has passed.
Only the leaves of epazote are edible. The other plant parts, especially the seeds, are toxic to humans, and toxic to pets.
| Common Name | Epazote, Jesuit's tea, Mexican tea, wormseed |
| Botanical Name | Dysphania ambrosioides |
| Family | Amaranthaceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial, herb |
| Mature Size | 2-3 ft. tall, 18 in. wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full |
| Soil Type | Well-drained |
| Soil pH | Acidic, neutral, alkaline |
| Hardiness Zones | 8-10 (USDA) |
| Native Area | Central America, South America |
| Toxicity | Toxic to humans, toxic to pets |
How to Plant Epazote
Plant epazote in the spring in a location that gets full sun. Space plants at least 2 feet apart. Epazote does not need any support.
Epazote has one other drawback: its leaves contain the compound ascaridole, which can inhibit the growth of other plants nearby. If you have young plants that are not yet fully established, or tender seedlings, it is better not to plant epazote next to it.
However, epazote can also be a beneficial companion plant because its flowers attract predatory wasps and flies. The strong odor of epazote, which can be smelled from a few feet away, can help deter pests from other plants that are prone to infestations.
Epazote Care
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Light
While epazote is undemanding in most of its growing conditions, sufficient light it a must. It needs full sun to thrive.
Soil
The herb can grow in many soil types and in a wide pH range from acidic to alkaline (5.2 to 8.3). Avoid planting it in a location with poor drainage as it does not like wet feet.
Acidic soil tends to reinforce the purpling of the stems and leaf veins.
Water
Until the plant is established, epazote needs regular watering to keep it evenly moist. Afterwards, it is drought-tolerant.
Temperature and Humidity
Epazote can tolerate a light frost but won’t survive a harsh winter. It is a tropical plant that is adapted to moderately humid conditions as well are semi-arid climate.
Fertilizer
The plant grows in soils of all fertility levels, from moderately fertile soil to poor soils and fertilization is usually not necessary unless the plant becomes, chlorotic, which is more likely with container-grown plants. Epazote is said to even grow in pavement cracks.
Types of Epazote
The only known variety of epazote is 'Oaxacan Red', a red-leafed variety.
Harvesting Epazote
You can start harvesting the leaves any time after the plant is established and has developed lush foliage. Pick the largest leaves but harvest them when they are still young because the flavor becomes stronger with age and might become overpowering. The best time to pick is in the morning after the dew has dried.
How to Grow Epazote in Pots
The herb is not unlike mint—you often get more than you wish for, and the plant can become invasive. And just like mint, a good way of controlling the spread of the plant is by growing it in a container. If you live in USDA zones 8 to 10 where epazote is a perennial, you can even bury the container in the ground.
A 1-gallon pot is usually a good size for one epazote plant, which usually provides enough leaves for home cooking. Terra cotta is the preferable material as it lets excess moisture can evaporate (epazote does not like wet feet). It is also less likely to topple over, as epazote is a tall, rather narrow plant.
Pruning
Epazote readily self-seeds and pops up in unwanted places but this can be prevented by simply removing the flowers before they can turn into seeds. It can also become weedy. Regular pruning takes care of both issues. To encourage a bushy, compact growth, cut out the center stalk with a sharp knife or pruners and pinch off the stem tips. Pinch off the flowers as soon as they emerge, which encourages more leaf growth, and also prevents the plant from reseeding itself.
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Propagating Epazote
Because epazote is so easily grown from seed, rather than propagating it vegetatively from cuttings, growing it from seed is the preferred propagation method.
How to Grow Epazote from Seed
You can grow epazote from seeds either by direct seeding after all danger of frost has passed, or, to get a head start on the growing season, by starting the seeds indoors between late March and early May. The timing depends on your last frost date, you don’t want the seedlings ready for transplanting outdoors too early.
- To start the seeds indoors, fill seed pots with pre-moistened potting mix.
- Place the seeds on the potting mix and barely cover, as the seeds need light to germinate. Keep them evenly moist at all times at a temperature of at least 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Seed germination occurs in 7 to 21 days.
- Harden off the seedlings before transplanting them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
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Potting and Repotting Epazote
When grown as an annual, epazote won’t need repotting during its single growing season. When grown as a perennial, there is usually no point in repotting it in a larger pot as the idea of container growing is to keep the plant contained. However, if the epazote starts to outgrow its container, you can remove it from the pot in the spring, divide it so it fits the pot (and discard the extra section, give it away, or repot it in a second pot), then replant it in the same container with fresh potting mix.
Overwintering
In warm climates, epazote does not need any winter protection. Below USDA zone 8, it is grown as an annual whose life cycle ends with the first strong frost in the fall. Because it is difficult to give epazote the same amount of sunlight as outdoors, overwintering it indoors is not a recommended option.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
The strong odor of epazote deters most pests but it can be attacked by aphids, flea beetles, ground beetles, cabbage loopers, root nematodes, and slugs. It is also prone to get downy mildew.
FAQ
Is epazote the same as Mexican oregano?
They are two different plants. Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) has a different flavor, similar to Mediterranean oregano but stronger.
How long does it take grow epazote?
If you start epazote from seed, you can start harvesting the leaves after 50 to 55 days.
Can epazote be grown indoors?
Epazote needs full sun and even a sunny windowsill or artificial growth lights do not provide the same light conditions as outdoors. Epazote grown indoors will likely be leggy.
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dysphania ambrosioides. North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
Epazote. Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
Epazote. University of Chicago Illinois Heritage Garden.
FAQs
Growing Epazote in Your Herb Garden or in Containers? ›
The herb is not unlike mint—you often get more than you wish for, and the plant can become invasive. And just like mint, a good way of controlling the spread of the plant is by growing it in a container. If you live in USDA zones 8 to 10 where epazote is a perennial, you can even bury the container in the ground.
Can epazote be grown in pots? ›In warm areas, epazote is a perennial. Due to its invasive nature, however, it is best grown in containers.
Is it better to grow herbs in pots or ground? ›Everyone should grow a pot of herbs. Even if you only have a tiny speck of outdoor space, if you have some sun, you can grow herbs. Most herbs grow well in containers and some (like mint and lemon balm) should be grown in pots because if you grow them in your garden, they become invasive.
How much water does epazote need? ›Requires less water than most other herbs. Sow lightly, approximately 1/4" beneath the surface of the soil and keep moist until germination. Epazote is native to drier regions of Central America and should not be over-watered.
How do you take care of epazote? ›Epazote is extremely easy to grow from seed in a full sun location with moist, well-drained soil. In order to have a fresh supply of leaves it is suggested to make successive sowings of Epazote every 2-3 weeks. Epazote self-seeds very freely and may become invasive in the garden.
Does epazote like shade or sun? ›Epazote thrives in full sun and likes well drained, average condition soil. It can grow between 2 to 4 feet tall when mature and is a narrow plant that spreads only about 1.5 feet.
How big do epazote plants get? ›The plant will grow 2-5 feet tall with many irregular side branches and is weedy in cultivated fields, roadsides, streamsides, and waste places. It is self or wind-pollinated and readily reseeds. Both the stems and leaves have minute glands that secrete an aromatic oil that exudes a musky somewhat malodorous scent.
Do plants grow faster in pots or in the ground? ›Let me explain. In comparison to the ground, containers hold substantially less growing media. This means their surface-area-to-volume ratio is far greater, which causes them to heat up and cool down far quicker than the ground. These fluctuations in temperature can damage plant roots and compromise overall growth.
What is the best container to grow herbs in? ›If you're all about practicality, then a plastic or fiberglass pot is the perfect vessel for growing herbs in. They won't dry out as fast as clay pots and they're usually inexpensive and hard to break. They're also lightweight—some molded plastics can be made to look like a decorative clay or metal pot.
How deep does a container need to be to grow herbs? ›Herbs require different soil depths, but most will grow well if given 6 to 12 inches of root space. Ceramic pots, wooden planter boxes, and raised planters are all excellent choices for growing herbs.
What are the optimal growing conditions for epazote? ›
Plant epazote in the spring in a location that gets full sun. Space plants at least 2 feet apart. Epazote does not need any support. However, epazote can also be a beneficial companion plant because its flowers attract predatory wasps and flies.
Can you eat epazote leaves raw? ›When it's consumed raw, epazote can have an almost medicinal quality due to its anise, licorice-like flavors; some even say it tastes like petroleum or putty. “Some people say it tastes different depending on how you use it,” Castrejón adds. “To me, it's very minty or oregano-like.
What is the shelf life of epazote? ›Shelf Life:
Up to 1 week fresh, six months dried. Apart being added to the pot when simmering beans, epazote can also be used as an herb in quesadillas, tamales, enchiladas, soups, moles and sopes.
Traditionally, epazote is used fresh. Leaves are milder in taste when young, becoming stronger and more bitter as they mature. You can dry the leaves, but the flavour is much less intense. Flowers and seeds can also be used.
Does epazote spread? ›A staple of Central and South American cuisine, this easy to grow annual thrives in Zones 2–7 and can, when left unchecked, spread through your garden like a weed.
Does epazote come back every year? ›Epazote has medium green serrated leaves with a very pungent aroma when crushed. Although epazote is a tender annual, once it is established you'll discover volunteers growing in the garden during following seasons.
Is epazote a perennial or annual? ›Epazote is usually described as an annual, but apparently can be perennial given warm winter temperatures (as we would have indoors). So take care of your epazote plant and it might last you some years.