Quick facts
| Arabic name | السمسم |
|---|---|
| English name | Sesame (Simsim) |
| Scientific name | Sesamum indicum |
| Family | Sesame family (Pedaliaceae) |
| Plant type | Annual herb (oil crop) |
| Height | Usually 1 to 1.5 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
June to August
After summer rain Harvest time
October to November
When the lower pods turn yellowJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
An upright plant with leaves in pairs, white or pink bell flowers, and pods full of tiny seeds.
Where it grows
Grown in Jazan, which has traditional oil presses.
Soil
Light soil with good drainage.
Water and irrigation
Fairly drought tolerant.
Climate and light
Hot with full sun.
Propagation
From seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Sesame oil (saleet) for cooking
- Seeds in sweets and bread
- Pressed cake used as animal feed
Drawbacks
- Pods split and drop seeds if harvest is late
- Cannot handle standing water
- Can cause food allergy for some people
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Sesamum indicum
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Sesamum indicum
- Wikipedia: Sesame
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)