Also known as American Worm · American Wormseed · Bitterweed
Safety note: This plant may be toxic to humans and pets. See toxicity details.
Wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides) is a pungent, fast-growing annual herb native to the Americas. It has a history of medicinal use and culinary applications.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best growth and scent.
Moderate
50% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained. Reduce in winter.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Thrives in average room temperatures (18-24°C). Can tolerate cooler conditions in winter.
Outdoor
50% intensity
Low
25% intensity
Fertilize sparingly; overfeeding can diminish aroma. Dilute fertilizer.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | Yes 3/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | Yes 3/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
Leaves and seeds contain ascaridole, which can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. Essential oil is toxic.
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water consistently, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top few centimeters of soil to dry out between waterings, especially in warmer months.
Reduce watering frequency in winter when growth slows down. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage.
Prune to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Pinch back young shoots to promote branching. Remove any dead, damaged, or leggy stems regularly.
Pruning can also be done to harvest leaves for culinary or medicinal use. Light trimming is beneficial year-round.
Easily propagated from seeds sown in spring or early summer, either directly outdoors or started indoors. Cuttings taken from healthy stems in late spring or early summer will also root readily in moist soil or water.
This method ensures true-to-type plants.
Young plants benefit from repotting annually or bi-annually in spring to provide fresh soil and more space. Mature plants can be repotted less frequently, every 2-3 years, or when root-bound.
Use a well-draining potting mix. Ensure the new pot has adequate drainage holes.
Identify plants like this with ePlant AI
Snap a photo to get care tips and match similar species on the go.
Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Goosefoot (Dysphania ambrosioides)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus | Dysphania |
| Species | Dysphania ambrosioides |
Similar in genus Dysphania
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
