Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a perennial herb in the daisy family that is known for its bitter taste and strong aroma. This plant is native to Europe and Asia, but it can now be found throughout the world.
Wormwood can be an aggressive self-seeder, so deadheading the flowers will prevent unwanted seedlings from popping up in your garden.
Essentials
Soil composition and ph levels for Wormwood plants
This plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil. The ideal soil composition for wormwood is sandy loam with a pH of 6.5-7.5. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and prefers dry, sandy soils. Wormwood can tolerate poor soils, but it will not grow as vigorously in these conditions.
This plant is relatively drought tolerant, but it will produce more flowers if it is given adequate moisture. Wormwood can be propagated by seed, division, or cuttings.
Watering Wormwood plants
– Water the plant deeply and regularly, especially during hot and dry periods.
– Water in the morning so that the leaves have time to dry before nightfall. This will help to prevent fungal diseases.
– If you live in a hot climate, you may need to water more frequently.
– Give the plant a good soaking about once a week, or as needed. The soil should be moist but not soggy.
– Mulch around the plant to help keep the roots cool and moist.
Grow wormwood plants indoors
To grow wormwood indoors, start with a young plant or cutting. Place the plant in a sunny window that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch, and fertilize monthly with a balanced all-purpose fertilizer.
Keep the wormwood trimmed to encourage compact growth. Pinch back the tips of stems to promote bushier growth. Wormwood can reach up to 2 feet in height and width.
Grow Wormwood plants in containers
Wormwood is a perennial herb that can be grown in containers. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. To grow wormwood in containers, choose a container that is at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Fill the container with well-drained soil, and plant the wormwood plant so that the crown is at the soil level.
Water the plant regularly, and fertilize it monthly with a balanced fertilizer. Wormwood can be harvested starting in the second year of its growth. To harvest, cut the stem just above where it emerges from the soil. Wormwood can be used fresh or dried.
Propagation of wormwood plants
It is easy to grow from cuttings and can be propagated in spring or summer.
To take wormwood cuttings, choose a healthy plant and cut a 3-4 inch piece from the tips of the stems. Strip off the lower leaves and dip the cutting in the rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in a pot filled with well-draining potting mix, and water regularly. The cutting should root within 4-6 weeks.
Once it has rooted, transplant it to a sunny location in the garden. Wormwood plants will self-seed readily, so deadhead the flowers if you do not want them to spread. Wormwood can also be propagated by division in spring or autumn. Dig up the plant and divide it into 2-3 sections, making sure that each section has some roots attached.
Replant the divisions immediately, spacing them 18-24 inches apart. Water well and fertilize monthly during the growing season. Over time, wormwood plans will form clumps that can be divided every 3-4 years to keep them vigorous.
Grow wormwood plants from seeds
Growing wormwood from seeds is not difficult, but it does require some planning. The plant is a perennial in zones 4-9, so if you live outside of those zones, you’ll need to start the seeds indoors.
Sow the seeds in a sterile seed-starting mix and keep them moist but not soggy. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots. Once they’ve grown to about 6 inches tall, you can transplant them outdoors.
Keep in mind that wormwood is a fast-growing plant, so give it plenty of room to spread out. Also, be sure to locate it in an area where it will receive full sun. With a little care, your wormwood plants will thrive and provide you with beautiful, fragrant foliage for many years to come.
Tips for growing wormwood plants in the garden
Wormwood is a perennial herb that can grow up to three feet tall. The leaves are dark green and the flowers are small and yellow. Here are some tips for growing wormwood in your garden:
- Choose a location that receives full sun. Wormwood needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Prepare the soil before planting. Wormwood prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Add compost or manure to the soil before planting wormwood seeds or transplants.
- Water wormwood regularly. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Water wormwood deeply once or twice a week during periods of extended dry weather.
- Fertilize wormwood monthly. Use a balanced fertilizer that is low in nitrogen. Apply the fertilizer around the base of the plant, being careful not to damage the roots.
- Harvest wormwood leaves when they are young and tender. You can use them fresh or dry them for later use. Cut the stems back after harvesting to encourage new growth.
Benefits of Wormwood plants
Wormwood is commonly used to make absinthe, a strong alcoholic beverage. It can be used to flavor drinks or added to potpourris and sachets. The herb is also used for the treatment of various digestion problems such as loss of appetite, upset stomach, gall bladder disease, and intestinal spasms.
Wormwood is also used to treat fever, liver disease, and worm infections; to increase sexual desire; as a tonic; and to stimulate sweating. Wormwood is an important ingredient in absinthe, and it is also used to make wormwood oil, which has a number of health benefits. Wormwood is often used as an ornamental plant or for dried arrangements.
Side-effects of wormwood plants
Side effects of wormwood include dizziness, hallucinations, nausea, restlessness, seizures, sleeping issues, and vomiting. A safe natural remedy for heartworm’. The trouble is, at a dose high enough to kill worms, wormwood is toxic to dogs, and at too low a dose, it is ineffective against worms.
Benefits of wormwood as companion plants for other plants
Using wormwood as a companion can repel fleas and flies as well as certain in-ground larvae. Even moths will turn away from the plant, which prevents them from laying their eggs in susceptible plants. Other pests that avoid the plant are ants, slugs, snails, and even mice. While horses show no interest in the plants, sheep and goats graze on them. A larger dose is toxic to dogs.
| Wormwood | |
| Water | Regular watering during summer; an inch of water eery seven to ten days. |
| Soil ph | 4.8-8.2 |
| Sunlight hours | Grow the plant in a sunny light shade or no shade locations; does not like being wet; generally planted in spring. |
| Pests and Diseases | Wormwood aphids feed on the smaller stems of the plant. |
| Temperature | 15 deg C |
| Soil composition | Requires well-drained soil; rocky slopes, arid ground and dry gardens are ideal; also does well in poor soils. |
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