Overview

Dysphania botrys is a plant with a erect, bushy habit in the genus Dysphania, part of the Amaranthaceae family, with aromatic foliage. Dysphania botrys grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3. Suggested uses include culinary herb and ornamental. It is native to Afghanistan, Albania, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, East Himalaya, France, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Mongolia, Nepal, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, South European Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, West Himalaya, Xinjiang and Yemen.

About

Dysphania botrys is an erect, well-branched perennial-appearing plant noted for strongly aromatic foliage. It flowers from July to September, producing small, inconspicuous blooms. It prefers full sun in a south-facing, sheltered position and a neutral, well-drained loam. It is grown both as a culinary herb and for ornamental effect in sunny parts of the garden.

About the genus

Dysphania is a genus of plants in the family Amaranthaceae. Species of the genus are found worldwide from the tropics and subtropics to warm-temperate regions.

Wikipedia contributors, "Dysphania (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dysphania (plant)

In the garden

A member of the Amaranthaceae, Dysphania botrys (sticky goosefoot) originates from the Mediterranean and adjoining parts of southern Europe and western Asia. The plant carries a pronounced aroma in its leaves, which has led to its use as a culinary herb as well as an ornamental for scent-rich borders. Plant it where it will receive full sun on a south-facing, sheltered aspect and use a neutral loam that drains freely; avoid waterlogged spots. In UK terms its hardiness is H3 (borderline), so choose a protected site where winter exposure and driving winds are limited. The erect, well-branched habit suits positions where the foliage can be appreciated without competition from larger shrubs. Sticky goosefoot works well at the front of a sunny border, within a dedicated herb bed, or in a sunny, sheltered patio container filled with loam-based compost. Its aromatic leaves are the main asset rather than showy flowers, and they are what gardeners harvest when using it in the kitchen. Positioning on a south-facing, sheltered margin preserves the scent and foliage quality through the season.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Dysphania

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H3

Plant details

Dysphania botrys size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Erect, bushy

Foliage

Aromatic

Suggested uses

Culinary herb, ornamental

Native to

Afghanistan, Albania, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, East Himalaya, France, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Mongolia, Nepal, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, South European Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, West Himalaya, Xinjiang, Yemen

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Dysphania botrys

Propagation

Seed, cuttings

Pest resistance

Moderate

Disease resistance

Moderate

Frequently asked questions