Mugwort ( Artemisia vulgaris ) is a perennial herb that is native to Europe, Asia and Africa and Alaska. This herb is well known and has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, in making beer, during moxibustion, for cooking, as an insect repellent and also as an insecticide. Artemisia vulgaris although helpful at organically deterring insects like aphids away from the garden, can also inhibit some plants growth, so it is best to keep this plant in pots among your garden beds.
The name ‘vulgaris’ may lead people to believe that the plant is ‘vulgar’ tasting but this is not the case at all, although the leaf is slightly bitter like other Artemisia species, the root has a sweeter flavour to it. ‘Vulgaris’ in Latin translates to ‘common’.
Other common names for Mugwort are Chrysanthemum Weed, Felon’s Herb, Wild Wormwood, Naughty Old Man and Sailors Tobacco.
For a similar type of plant check out our page on True Wormwood.
Growth
Mugwort is a herbaceous perennial plant that that has purplish stems and can grow up to 2 metres tall, more commonly to 1.2 metres and around 70 cm’s wide. The leaves of this species are dark green on top with a silvery white colour underneath. The flowers are light yellowish green to a red-brown colour and bloom during summer and early autumn.
Artemisia vulgaris grows best in cool and temperate climate. It can be grown in the more humid regions but can struggle to keep its foliage, Mugwort 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:
Tolerant of poor quality, dry soils.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 2 metres (6.5 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 0.7 metres (2.3 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 11,000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes
EDIBLE:
Yes, leaves & young shoots. Leaves, roots and flowers for herbal tea. However, can be toxic in large doses.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3-4 years.
FACTS ABOUT ARTEMISIA VULGARIS (Mugwort)
Mugwort is helpful as an insect repellent, so is handy to grow in a pot beside vulnerable veggies. It is also an essential oil.
Apparently, the Romans planted it on the roadsides, so that their soldiers could put it inside their shoes to sooth their sore feet.
Artemisia vulgaris is not a good companion plant for many other herbs and vegetables as it can inhibit growth.
Although this species is used for culinary and medicinal purposes, we do not recommend ingesting any medicinal plants without thoroughly researching or speaking to a health professional or qualified herbalist first. This species has been found to be toxic in large doses or with long term use.
