Sweet Wormwood ( Artemisia annua ) is an annual herb that is native to temperate regions of Asia. It is commercially grown for its anti-, malarial properties and popular in use as alternative medicine. They are fast-growing, repels insects and produce a sweet-smelling fragrance.
Suitable for Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
The stems, flowers and leaves of Sweet Wormwood are used to make several types of medicines, including tinctures, topical ointments, and herbal tea. Artemisia annua is the major commercial source of artemisinin which is used to combat malaria all over the world.
Other common names for Sweet Sagewort, Sweet Annie, Chinese Wormwood.
Sweet Wormwood is often confused with True or Common Wormwood as they both have similar features and abilities. But as a medicinal plant Sweet Wormwood is superior while as an insect repellent, the True Wormwood is much better at keeping the bugs away. We also have another Artemisia, the Common Mugwort.
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Growth
Sweet Wormwood is a herbaceous annual plant that grows to around 1 metre (3 feet) tall and wide. It is an annual short-day plant which complete its life cycle within eight months. Sweet Wormwood grows an erect stem that is a brownish colour and is hairless. The leaves grow to 5cm (2 inches) in length and are divided by deep cuts into two or three leaflets. Leaves have a strong scent as do the subsequent flowers which can start blooming just six months after sowing seeds.
The small flowers are greenish-yellow and are very fragrant and their arrival signals the alarm for harvest time. Left to develop further, small brown achenes will form to produce the seeds which will begin to wither and fall off at about the ten-month mark.
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:
Temperate, Sub-Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10-40°C / 14-104°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 metre (3 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1 metre (3 feet)
pH:
5.0-8.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Wind pollinated. Flowers are bisexual.
MATURITY:
8 -10 months
GERMINATION RATES:
75-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-21 days
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 15,000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes – Not for WA or TAS
EDIBLE:
Can be used for tea.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3-4 years.
FACTS ABOUT ARTEMISIA ANNUA (Sweet Wormwood)
Chinese scientist Tu Youyou shared the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his research into Artemisia annua and its ability to fight malaria.
Some studies have found success with Sweet Wormwood for treating osteoarthritis symptoms, especially those affecting the knees and hips. For treatment of inflammation and osteoarthritis, 150 milligrams, twice per day, has been shown to be clinically relevant in pain reductions over the course of 12 weeks.
The plant is usually harvested at the beginning of the flowering period when the artemisinin content is the highest. One hectare can yield up to 3 tonnes of dried leaf.
Sweet Wormwood is the primary plant that Wormwood essential oils are harvested from. Click here to learn more.
