Oilseeds· Sesamum indicum

Sesame Growing Guide

One of the oldest oilseed crops, cultivated for over 5,000 years. Seeds contain 50% oil and 25% protein. Drought-tolerant, grown across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Used in oil, tahini, confectionery, and cosmetics.

How Long Does Sesame Take to Grow?

Sesame is typically ready to harvest about 100 days after planting.

100

Days to Harvest

720

kg/hectare

low

Water Needs

full sun

Sun Needs

FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.

Growing Conditions

Temperature

25-35°C optimal

Rainfall

300-800 mm/year

Frost Tolerance

none

Drought Tolerance

high

Humidity

low tolerance

Heat Tolerance

high

Soil Requirements

Soil Type & pH

Best soil types: sandy loam, loam

pH range: 5.5 - 7.5 (optimal: 6.5)

Drainage: excellent

Planting Guide

Planting Methods

direct seeding, broadcast

Planting Depth

2 cm

Plant Spacing

15 cm apart, 45 cm rows

Planting Season

spring, summer

Yield & Economics

Yield Range

180 - 4,870 kg/ha

Market Demand

growing

Profitability

high

Common Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

sesame webworm
aphids
gall midge

Common Diseases

Fusarium wilt
bacterial leaf spot
Cercospora leaf spot
charcoal rot

Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.

Growing Tips

Harvest when lower capsules begin to split — delay causes shattering and seed loss

Non-shattering varieties (like Shandaweel 2022) enable mechanical harvest and reduce losses by 20%

Excellent rotation crop after cereals — deep taproot breaks compaction and low N requirement

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Sesame take to grow?

Sesame typically takes 100 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 5 days. The best planting season is spring, summer.

What soil does Sesame need?

Sesame grows best in sandy loam, loam soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5. Excellent drainage is required.

What temperature does Sesame need?

Sesame grows best at 25-35°C. Frost tolerance: none. Heat tolerance: high.

What is the expected yield for Sesame?

Across 73 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Sesame range from 180 to 4,870 kg/hectare, with a median of 720. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.