True Wormwood ( Artemisia absinthium ) is a perennial evergreen herb that is native to Europe, Asia and Africa. This plant is popular in the garden for its use as an insect repellent and its assistance in keeping away things like snails, slugs and aphids from destroying the vegetable garden. This can be achieved by planting nearby, spreading the fresh or dried leaves around the garden or making or liquid that can safely and organically sprayed on your plants.
Artemisia absinthium is very bitter tasting and has been used since ancient Egypt as a medicinal herb, however many people will recognise it for its most famous use as an ingredient in several alcoholic beverages, including Absinthe.
Other common names for Wormwood are Grand Wormwood, Absinthe, Wormwood Sage, Madder Wort, and Green Ginger. There are several species of wormwood, but this is the one you want in your garden.
For another plant that is similar, check out our page on Mugwort.
Growth
Wormwood is a herbaceous plant that that has woody stems and can grow up to around 1.2 metres tall and wide. The leaves of this species are silvery green and are deeply lobed usually with three lobes. The flowers are yellow and are like little pom poms during summer and early autumn. The plant can become a little scruffy and need pruning to keep it neat and tidy … but remember to scatter any removed leaves through the garden to keep away those annoying pests.
Artemisia absinthium grows best in cool and temperate climate. It can be grown in the more humid regions but can struggle to keep its foliage, Wormwood prefers dry climates with well-draining soil so the plant will suffer during rainy seasons when the soils are very wet. This species can grow well in pots, so an option in humid regions may be to move it under shelter during the rainy seasons, where it can be kept dryer.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Asteraceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Dry
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-32-40°C / -25-104°F. Can die back during cold winters, but roots will survive, and the plant will grow back once the weather allows.
SOIL TYPE:
Wormwood is tolerant of poor quality, dry soils.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 1.2 metres (4 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1.2 metres (4 feet)
pH:
5.0-8.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial. Herbaceous
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Wind pollinated. Flowers are bisexual.
MATURITY:
18 months – 2 years
GERMINATION RATES:
75-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
10-21 days
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 15,000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes – Not for WA or TAS
EDIBLE:
Used for alcoholic beverages and culinarily but toxic in high quantities. Do not take if pregnant.
Please research before considering ingesting Wormwood.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3-4 years.
FACTS ABOUT ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM (True Wormwood)
Wormwood is helpful as a mosquito repellent, so is handy to grow near outdoor living areas. It is also used as an essential oil.
Artemisia absinthium has been used for centuries as an ingredient for several alcoholic beverages, mainly Absinthe. Absinthe was banned in many parts of Europe and the USA because it was said to cause psychosis and hallucinations, however in recent studies this has been found to be an exaggeration and has no different behavioural consequences than any other alcohol.
Wormwood is not a good companion plant for some other herbs,
Although this species is used for culinary and medicinal purposes … Wormwood can be toxic at high concentrations. It is recommended to never take more than 35mg/kg for short periods and do so under a doctor’s supervision. There is one confirmed case of death from ingestion, however this person mistakenly drank 10 ml’s of the pure essential oil, believing it was Absinthe.
