Sesame — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Sesamum indicum |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 5–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 21.1–35 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 90–120 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 15.2–30.5 |
| Mature height (cm) | 91.4–152.4 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 20.3–30.5 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 7–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Sow seed 1/4 in deep in rows 18–24 in apart after soil reaches at least 70°F; sesame seed is very small, so mixing with dry sand aids even distribution and prevents clumping. Thin to 6–12 in once plants are 3 in tall and keep well-weeded until the canopy closes. The upright plants produce attractive tubular flowers along the stem that develop into rectangular seed capsules; the key challenge is timing harvest before 'shattering' — when ripe capsules split and scatter seed spontaneously. Cut entire stalks when the bottom capsules begin to yellow, invert plants into large paper bags, and allow to dry for a week indoors; the capsules then split easily and seed falls into the bag when shaken.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0