Life Span
Annual
  
Perennial
  
Type
Cactus
  
Herbs
  
Origin
South America, Argentina, Brazil
  
Mexico, Central America, South America
  
Types
Not Available
  
Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants
  
Number of Varieties
Not Available
  
Habitat
Desert
  
shrublands, tropical grasslands
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
11-15
  
Not Available
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
  
12-1
  
Sunset Zone
16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Upright/Erect
  
Upright/Erect
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White, Yellow
  
Green
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Pink, Red
  
Green, Light Green, Tan
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
  
Green, Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
  
Green, Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
  
Green, Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
  
Light Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Toothed
  
Lanceolate
  
Thorns
Yes
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Summer, Fall
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Medium
  
Very Fast
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
  
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
No
  
Tolerances
Drought, Salt
  
Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings
  
Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Never Over-water
  
Requires a lot of watering, Requires regular watering
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
  
Pest Free
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Insignificant
  
Flower Petal Number
Double
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
Yes
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
Yes
  
Showy Foliage
No
  
No
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Medium
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
Yes
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
  
Bees, Flies
  
Allergy
Not Available
  
allergic reaction, Skin irritation
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
  
Not Used For Aesthetic Purpose
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Antioxidants, Indigestion, Oedema, Wounds
  
Detoxification, Insect Bites, Stomach pain, Treat Parasitic Intestinal Worms
  
Part of Plant Used
Fruits
  
Leaves, Seeds
  
Other Uses
Showy Purposes
  
Pesticide, The essential oil is used as insect repellent
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Container, Fruit, Fruit Tree, Hedges, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
  
Container, Herb / Vegetable
  
Botanical Name
CEREUS hildmannianus ssp. uruguayanus
  
CHENOPODIUM ambrosioides
  
Common Name
Peruvian Apple Cactus
  
Mexican Tea
  
In Hindi
Peruvian Apple cactus
  
Dysphania ambrosioides
  
In German
Peruanische Apple-Kaktus
  
Mexikanischer Drüsengänsefuß
  
In French
Péruvienne d'Apple Cactus
  
Épazote
  
In Spanish
Peruana de Apple Cactus
  
Dysphania ambrosioides
  
In Greek
Του Περού μήλο κάκτος
  
Μεξικού τσάι
  
In Portuguese
Cactus a Apple peruana
  
Dysphania ambrosioides
  
In Polish
Peruwiański Jabłko Cactus
  
Komosa piżmowa
  
In Latin
Apple Peruviani Cactus
  
Dysphania ambrosioides
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Tracheophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Caryophyllidae
  
Caryophyllales
  
Family
Cactaceae
  
Chenopodiaceae
  
Genus
Cereus
  
Dysphania
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Cereeae
  
Dysphanieae
  
Subfamily
Cactoideae
  
Chenopodioideae
  
Number of Species
Not Available
  
Not Available