How to Sow Sesame: Depth, Spacing and Seeding Rate

Sesame seeds are tiny and must be sown shallow: 1–1.5 cm (½ in) deep into fine, moist soil. Farmers use about 3–5 kg of seed per hectare (3–4.5 lb/acre) in rows 45–75 cm apart; gardeners thin plants to 10–15 cm.

Tips

• Prepare a fine, firm seedbed; crusting stops emergence.
• Mix seed with sand for even sowing.
• Keep soil moist until emergence (5–7 days in warm soil).
• Thin when plants have 3–4 leaves.

Containers

Use pots 25–30 cm deep with free-draining mix; 2–3 plants per pot, full sun.

More Sesame Guides

• How to Grow Sesame: The Complete Guide
• Sesame varieties
• Sesame pests and diseases
• When to harvest sesame

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my sesame not come up?

Usually cold soil, seeds sown too deep, or a crusted surface.

How far apart should sesame be planted?

About 10–15 cm in rows 45–60 cm apart.