How to Grow Mexican Tea
Wikimedia Commons
Mexican Tea
Dysphania ambrosioides
herbMexican Tea is a perennial herb native to Central and South America, known for its pungent, aromatic foliage and distinctive citrus-like scent. It has been used traditionally for centuries in Latin American cuisine and traditional medicine for digestive and antiparasitic properties. The plant grows as an upright, leafy shrub with small greenish flowers and tiny seeds.
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Example Mexican Tea timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Mexican Tea
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Mexican Tea
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Mexican Tea dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11; can be grown as an annual in cooler zones or in containers brought indoors
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Seed Germination
1-2 weeksTiny seeds sprout and develop first true leaves within 7-14 days
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide warmth (70-75°F) and light. Seeds germinate better with light exposure.
Seedling
2-4 weeksYoung plants develop multiple small leaves and establish a taproot system
Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart. Provide bright light and avoid overwatering. Begin fertilizing with dilute liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksPlant rapidly grows upright with increasingly dense foliage, reaching 18-36 inches tall depending on variety and conditions
Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushiness. Water moderately and ensure good drainage. Fertilize monthly with balanced fertilizer. Plant tolerates neglect well.
Flowering & Seed Set
4-6 weeksSmall greenish-yellow flowers appear in terminal spikes; flowers develop into tiny seeds contained in small capsules
Continue regular watering and feeding. Allow some flowers to remain for seed production if desired. Most ornamental value is in foliage rather than flowers.
Maturity & Harvest
Ongoing through growing seasonPlant reaches full size with abundant harvestable foliage; can be continuously harvested for leaves
Harvest regularly to promote continued leaf production and prevent excessive flowering. In frost zones, dig up plants or take cuttings before first frost. Perennial plants will regrow from roots in spring.
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe. Increase humidity around plants.
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Spray with strong water spray; use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
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Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Spray with neem oil if infestation is widespread.
Uses
Traditional Latin American Cooking
CulinaryMexican Tea leaves are used fresh or dried to flavor soups, broths, rice dishes, and stews throughout Mexico and Central America. The distinctive pungent, citrusy flavor profile makes it a signature ingredient in regional cuisines. [source]
Digestive and Antiparasitic Properties
MedicinalTraditionally used in Latin American folk medicine as a tea or infusion to support digestive health and address intestinal parasites. The plant contains bioactive compounds including ascaridole and other essential oils believed to have antihelmintic properties. [source]
Gastrointestinal Support
MedicinalPrepared as a herbal tea, Mexican Tea has been traditionally used to relieve indigestion, bloating, and cramping. Often combined with other digestive herbs in traditional remedies. [source]
Aromatic Herbal Tea
HouseholdFresh or dried leaves make a unique herbal infusion with a complex, pungent aroma and distinctive flavor. Often blended with milder herbs or sweetened with honey for palatability. [source]
Dried Herb Crafts and Potpourri
CraftDried bundles of Mexican Tea add aromatic appeal and visual interest to dried flower arrangements, herbal wreaths, and potpourri blends. The strong scent persists well after drying. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting leaves once the plant is 6-8 inches tall. Pinch off the top 2-4 inches of stems regularly to encourage bushiness and continuous leaf production. Harvest in the morning after dew dries for best flavor and aroma. Leaves can be used fresh or dried; dry by hanging bundles in a warm, airy location. Seeds can be collected from mature flower heads in late summer when they turn brown and dry.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Mexican Tea is also known by many other common names including Epazote, Wormseed, and American Wormseed, reflecting its historical use as an antiparasitic remedy in both traditional medicine and livestock care.
- 🌱 The plant contains ascaridole, a volatile compound that gives it a distinctive pungent, almost gasoline-like smell when crushed; this same compound is responsible for much of its traditional medicinal reputation.
- 🌱 In Mexican cuisine, Mexican Tea (epazote) is considered an essential ingredient in authentic quesadillas and bean dishes, as it's believed to reduce the gas-producing effects of beans while adding authentic flavor.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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