Photo: pbsgCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Sessame Plant Care
Sesamum radiatum Thonn. ex Hornem.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
The Sesamum radiatum plant is known for its unique, lance-shaped leaves that are covered in fine hairs, giving it a soft texture. Originating from West Africa, this plant's striking foliage and delicate pink flowers make it a desirable addition to any plant collector's garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun
65–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Sessame?
Water Sessame every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Sessame Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Sessame?
Sessame (Sesamum radiatum) belongs to the Pedaliaceae family within the Sesamum genus. Sessame is native to west and central Africa, has been cultivated since ancient times in Africa. Sessame is also known as Benniseed, Simsim, Sesame.
Sessame displays an upright, branching herb growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Sessame produces tubular, white to pink flowers in terminal racemes.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sessame?
Sesamum radiatum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Sessame Need?
Sessame thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sessame Prefer?
Sesamum radiatum grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Sessame prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sessame?
Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Sessame to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sessame?
Feed Sessame every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Sessame?
Repot annually in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Sessame?
Sessame can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to winged sesame plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sessame Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sessame, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Sessame?
Sessame is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Sessame Need?
Sessame grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Sessame is native to west and central Africa, has been cultivated since ancient times in Africa. In cooler regions, grow Sessame as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Sessame is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Sesamum genus — compare its care with other Sesamum species on PlantoScan.
Sesamum is part of the Pedaliaceae plant family — browse all Pedaliaceae genera and species.
Sessame thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sesamum radiatum Thonn. ex Hornem., family Pedaliaceae (first published in Enum. Pl. Hort. Hafn. , Suppl. 2: 12 (1806)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sessame, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: pbsg, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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