Permaplans
Deutsch
All plants

Sesame

Sesamum indicum
Edible value5Medicinal value3Other uses7
annual1.5×3.5 mzone 9–10full sun

Will it grow where I live?

Sesame is grown as an annual in temperate climates: sow or plant out after the last frost, harvest until the first autumn frost. It also needs warm summers – in Central Europe that means wine-growing regions, cities or a sheltered south-facing wall.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Pedaliaceae
Habit
annual
Height
1.5 m
Spread
3.5 m
Growth
fast
Lifespan
1 year
First yield
after 1 year
Yield per plant
up to 0 kg
Hardiness
zone 9–10
Shade tolerance
full sun
Soil
Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture
dry – moist
pH
5.5 – 7.5

Flowering & harvest

J F M A M J J A S O N D
Fruit harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible5 of 10
Medicinal3 of 10
Other uses7 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Sesame: how big does it get?

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) grows as a annual and reaches roughly 1.5 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 3.5 m. Growth is fast.

Sesame: what site does it need?

Sesame tolerates full sun. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range dry – moist. The pH may lie between 5.5 and 7.5.

Sesame: is it hardy?

Sesame is listed as hardy in zone 9–10 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Sesame: will it grow in Central Europe?

Sesame is grown as an annual in temperate climates: sow or plant out after the last frost, harvest until the first autumn frost. It also needs warm summers – in Central Europe that means wine-growing regions, cities or a sheltered south-facing wall.

Sesame: when is it harvested?

In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate the fruit ripens from September to October.

Sesame: when does it start cropping, and how much?

Sesame crops in its first year. Expect up to 0 kg per plant. Figures assume a good site; variety, soil and climate shift them considerably.

Sesame: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Sesame. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Sesame: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 5/10, Medicinal 3/10, Other uses 7/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

Growing it? Write in the app what works for you – your post will show up here.

💬 Get the app and join in

Plan this plant into your own garden

Permaplans plans your garden to scale on the map — with a site check, harvest calendar and over 1,000 plants. Free for iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows & Linux.

Will this plant grow where you live? → Check your site

All data without warranty. Site data and texts from the Permaplans database.

Start your garden

Try it for free — right in your browser, no sign-up.

Open in the browserGet the app