Dysphania

( dis - FAY - nee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus contains species that are found worldwide, from the topical and subtropical regions of the globe to warm-temperate areas. Plants are typically annuals or short-lived perennials, and produce green foliage. Plants tend to be aromatic. The most popular cultivated species is commonly called Epazote, Wormseed, or Jesuit's Tea, and is grown for its aromatic, tasty foliage that is, as the common name suggests, turned into a hot beverage when steeped in water. Grow these plants in informal gardens or pollinator landscapes, as a part of a tea or herb garden, or in mixed beds and borders. Because of their strong smell, they can be useful companion plantings for areas that need a little pest control boost.

Dysphania Species and Varietals

The genus Dysphania is a member of the plant family Amaranthaceae, and includes 46 species. These plants do well in almost all zones. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Dysphania ambrosioides (Epazote, Mexican Tea, Jesuit's Tea, Wormseed, Ypasote, Ipasote)
This annual to short-lived perennial species reaches about 4 feet tall when mature, and is irregularly branched. Leaves are green, and are ideally collected before the plants produce flowers and seeds. Foliage can be used as a leaf vegetable, herb, or turned into an herbal tea with pungent flavor and scent (reminiscent of citrus, savory, and mint). This species is considered invasive in the United States, Europe, Africa, Australia, and regions of Asia.

Dysphania multifida (Cutleaf Goosefoot, Scented Goosefoot)
This South American native plant can be found on most continents around the world as an introduced species. They can grow in poor and disturbed soils, and are seen growing along roadsides and in tilled field areas. Leaves are green. This species is considered invasive in the United States (California and Florida), Australia, Europe, and Asia.

Caring for Dysphania

Dysphania, or Epazote, plants are typically planted via seed or as starts from a reputable nursery. Seeds can be direct-sown in the garden, or be started indoors between 6 and 8 weeks before the last frost of your area passes by. Plant Dysphania in a spot that gets full sun; ideally, these plants like between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day. Some varieties, especially those with lighter or golden foliage, need more shade to prevent their leaves from getting sunburned. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.2 and 8.3 (acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. Once established, Epazote can tolerate moderate drought, and needs about an inch of water each week. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, as this can go a long way in preventing root rot issues. As a general rule of thumb, water every 7-10 days.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Remove flower spikes as they form, as this will send more of the plant's energy into creating and maintaining flavorful foliage. Epazote plants are annuals or short-lived perennials and typically need to be regrown each season to have multiple years of harvesting.

Harvesting Dysphania Plants
Epazote, or Dysphania, plants are typically grown for their fragrant, tasty foliage. Epazote is a pungent Mexican herb with earthy, citrusy notes commonly used to flavor black beans (and reduce resulting gas). Fresh sprigs can be used in soups and stews, and are added towards the end of the cooking process to maintain their aroma and flavor. Plants can be harvested 50 to 90 days after planting, beginning when they are between 6 and 12 inches tall. Harvested leaves can be used fresh, dried, or even be frozen for later use. These are cut-and-come-again pants, and regular harvesting encourages a bushier growth habit to form. The best time of day to harvest Epazote is in the morning, after the dew has dried from leaves but before the heat of the day sets in. The leaves can be wrapped in a damp paper towel in a plastic bag in the refrigerator or in a cup of water for up to four days. For long-term storage, leaves can be frozen or dried. To freeze, wash and thoroughly dry leaves. Freeze them in bags or chop them and add them with water to ice cube trays and freeze. Dry leaves by harvesting Epazote by the stem, and then hang them upside down in a dry, dark, cool area with good ventilation. Once they have been dehydrated, they can be crushed by hand and stored in an airtight glass container in a cool, dark place.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Dysphania, can be propagated by division, cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division or cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Oregano or Marjoram, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Dysphania by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Dysphnia by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 5 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Dysphania by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are somewhat untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch around the new planting to protect the root system from cold temperatures as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.