Overview
Artemisia absinthium is a plant with a bushy, columnar upright, spreading branched, matforming habit in the genus Artemisia, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous, aromatic, silver-grey, divided leaves foliage. Artemisia absinthium grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.
About
Artemisia absinthium, otherwise known as common wormwood, is a species of Artemisia native to North Africa and temperate regions of Eurasia, and widely naturalized in Canada and the northern United States. It is grown as an ornamental plant and is used as an ingredient in the spirit absinthe and some other alcoholic beverages.
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About the genus
Artemisia is a large, diverse genus of plants belonging to the daisy family, Asteraceae, with almost 500 species. Common names for various species in the genus include mugwort, wormwood, and sagebrush.
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Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Artemisia
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Artemisia absinthium size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright, Spreading branched, Matforming
- Foliage
- Deciduous, Aromatic, Silver-grey, Divided leaves
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Artemisia absinthium
- Propagation
- Seed, Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Susceptible to honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Artemisia absinthium?
Artemisia absinthium prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Artemisia absinthium need?
Artemisia absinthium is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including loam, sand and chalk. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Artemisia absinthium hardy in the UK?
Artemisia absinthium has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Artemisia absinthium?
Seed, Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings.
More in the Artemisia genus
- Artemisia 'Coca Cola'
- Artemisia 'Valerie Finnis'
- Artemisia Pontica Roman Wormwood
- Artemisia lactiflora 'Elfenbein'White Mugwort
- Artemisia schmidtiana 'Nana'Silver Mound
- Artemisia 'Boughton Silver'
- Artemisia Indica var. Momiyamae