Artemisia

( art - em - MIZ- ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Artemisia plants have a history that dates back to Ancient Greece, and over the years have taken on many common names including Mugwort, Wormwood, Sagebrush and Old Man. Leaves can be aromatic and adds a great silvery color to the landscape. Foliage is really what these plants are known for; flowers are insignificant. These plants are excellent when used in borders, containers, and other areas of interest where they can stand out against colors like reds and oranges and blend well with blues, lavenders and pinks. Use them as borders for herb gardens or other areas where insects or deer can be a problem, as they will be avoided by these animals due to their fragrance. Take care when planting Artemisia in the garden, as plant parts of certain species can be toxic to humans and pets if ingested in large quantities.

Artemisia Species and Varietals

There are between 200 and 400 species in the genus Artemisia, which is included in the family Asteraceae. The genus is thought to be named for the Greek goddess Artemis. The best growing zones for Mugwort shrubs depends on the species; refer to the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

​Artemisia abrotanum (Southern Wood, Old Man, Lad's Love, Boy's Love, Garderobe)
This species is a perennial that has woody growth, and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 or Sunset growing zones 2b-24. Individual plants reach up to three feet tall and just as wide, with lemony-scented gray-green feathery foliage. Flowers are inconspicuous and yellowish-white. Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

​Artemisia absinthium (Common Wormwood, Absinthe, Common Sagewort, Absinthium, Absinth Sage)
A woody perennial, this shrub will grow to reach about 2-4 feet tall and 2 feet wide and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-10 or Sunset growing zones 2-24. Finely divided leaves are silvery-grey and flowers are tiny and yellow. Pungent odor and bitter taste to leaves. Should be divided every three years to keep the plant healthy. This plant is used to flavor the liquor Absinthe. Cultivar 'Huntington Gardens' reaches 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

​Artemisia arborescens (Tree Wormwood, Silver Wormwood, Great Mugwort, Shrubby Mugwort)
Best in USDA hardiness zones 7-11 or Sunset growing zones 7-9 and 14-24, this native Mediterranean shrub grows to reach 3-6 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide at maturity. Foliage is silvery and finely cut, but is more delicate than other varieties. In colder zones these plants will need some protection from frost. Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

Artemisia cana (Seriphidium canum) (Silver Sagebrush, Sticky Sagebrush, Hoary Sagebrush, Dwarf Sagebrush, Silver Wormwood)
This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 and in Sunset zones 2, 3, 4 and 14-21. These shrubs are native to the eastern Sierra Cascade divide, and reach 3-5 feet tall and wide at maturity. Leaves are narrow, fragrant, and silvery green. Drought and cold hardy. ​Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

​Artemisia californica (California Sagebrush)
This species grows to reach up to 1.5 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 7 feet wide at maturity. Leaves are aromatic, finely divided and greyish-white. These plants grow well in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 7-9 and 14-24. Foliage is lush in wintertime and sparse in summer. Evergreen. Varieties great for use as groundcovers include 'Canyon Grey' (1-2 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide), and 'Montara' (Mounding habit, grows to 2 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide). Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.​

Artemisia caucasica (Silver Spreader, Caucasian Wormwood, Caucasian Artemisia)
Spreading variety that reaches 3-6 inches high and a few feet wide. This is an evergreen shrublet with silky, silvery foliage and small yellow flowers. Used as a ground or bank cover and can take extremes in drought and cold. Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4-7 or sunset growing zones 2-11 and 14-24. Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

Artemisia dracunculus (French Tarragon, True Tarragon, Estragon, Dragon Herb, Green Sagewort, Silky Wormwood)
Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones A1-A3, 2b-10 and 14-24 as a perennial. They can be grown as annuals outside of their range. There are two common forms of this plant; French Tarragon (also called 'sativa') is a sprawling flowerless plant with shiny dark green, aromatic and flavorful leaves that reaches less than two feet tall. Russian Tarragon by contrast, is an upright grower to 3 feet with small white flowers. Sprigs should be cut in early summer for seasoning, and fresh cuttings can be used for seasoning oils and vinegars. Dried leaves can be used for seasoning in cooked dishes and salads. ​Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

​Artemisia filifolia (Sand Sagebrush, Sand Sage, Sandhill Sage)
A woody perennial that grows to 3-4 feet tall and wide in UDSA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 2-11 and 14-24. This is an airy, graceful variety with feathery, fragrant, blue-green leaves covered with a wooly coating. Tolerates clay soil and thrives in poor sandy soil. Can be used to help prevent soil erosion. Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities, especially so for horses.

Artemisia lactiflora (White Mugwort, Pale-Flowered Wormwood, Ghost-Plant, Zhen Zhu Cai, Jiao Cai)
Perennial that grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 and Sunset growing zones 1-9 and 14-21. Has attractive flowers, with sprays of creamy white blooms in late summer. Grows to 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide with dark green leaves. Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

​Artemisia ludoviciana (White Sagebrush, White Sage, Prairie Sagebrush, Western Mugwort, Silver Wormwood, Louisiana Sage, Prairie Wormwood, Louisiana Sagewort)
This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-24. Individual plants reach up to 4 feet tall and half as wide at maturity. Branches are slender and spreading with silvery-white leaves. Rapid spreader. Foliage is useful in cut flower arrangements. 'Silver King' is compact, growing to three feet, 'Valerie Finnis' (pictured) grows to 1.5-2 feet tall with nearly white leaves. Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

​Artemisia pycnocephala (Sandhill Sage, Beach Sagewort, Beach Wormwood, Coastal Sagewort, Dune Sagewort, Beach Sagebrush)
This varietal grows to 2.5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, doing well in USDA zones 8-10 or Sunset zones 4, 5, 7-9, 14-17 and 19-24. It has a rounded and somewhat spreading habit with erect stems sprouting silvery white or light grey-green leaves. 'David's Choice' is a great ornamental cultivar that reaches just 6-12 inches tall and 1.5-2 feet wide. 

Artemisia schmidtiana (Angel's Hair, Silvermound Artemisia, Dwarf Wormwood, Silver Mound)
This shrub does best in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 or Sunset growing zones A1-A3, 1-10, and 14-24. It grows into a 1-2 foot dome shape with silvery-white finely cut leaves. This species will die back in the wintertime. 'Silver Mound' is a great compact choice, usually reaching to just under 1.5 feet tall and wide. Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

​Artemisia stelleriana (Beach Wormwood, Dusty Miller, Hoary Mugwort, Oldwoman)
This varietal is perennial that grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset zones A1-A3, 1-10, and 14-24. Dense, silvery gray foliage to 2.5-3 feet wide. Yellow flowers pop up in spiked clusters in spring and summertime. 

​Artemisia tridentata (Big Sagebrush, Great Basin Sagebrush)
This evergreen shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-3, 6-11, and 14-24. Individual shrubs reach up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide at maturity. Hairy, gray, very aromatic leaves cover the plant. Flowers are insignificant. The aroma of this plant is associated strongly with the deserts of the Western U.S. and grows easily in any sunny, well-draining spot. Does well with little to no irrigation. Can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

​Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort, Chrysanthemum Weed, Felon Herb, St. John's Plant)
This variety can grow in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 and Sunset growing zones A2, A3, and 1-24 as a perennial shrub that has a mounding habit. Reaches 2-3 feet tall and wide. Finely cut green leaves are variegated with yellow and gold. Clusters of small white flowers appear in summer. Can be invasive, but is a good choice for container plantings. 'Oriental Limelight' (pictured, with variegated green and yellow foliage).

caring for artemisia

Mugworts are easy-care plantings that add quick, soft foliage to garden landscapes. They grow best in full sun (at least 6 hours per day) but can handle some shade as well. especially in the late afternoon in warmer climates. These shrubs prefer well-draining soil that is kept relatively dry; they are wonderful plants for water-wise gardens and survive drought conditions well, though they do need some moisture while they are getting established. If the soil around their roots is kept wet regularly, they will not grow well (with the notable exception of Artemisia lactiflora - or White Mugwort - which actually prefers moist soil). Soil pH should be kept within the range of 5.5 to 8.0 for best performance.  Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Perennial species should be pruned in fall or springtime, and can be cut back hard to just above the growth nodes. Non-woody species can become a bit floppy, especially after their flowers have faded; shear these types in the middle of summertime to prevent them from flopping over and becoming bare in the middle. Every three to five years, Artemisia plants will need to be divided to improve appearance and the health of the plant. For instructions on how to divide your Artemisia plant, see the Propagation section below.

Harvesting Artemisia
Harvesting Artemisia should be done during midday, when the morning dew has had some time to evaporate. Harvest your leaves, taking care to discard any discolored or damaged leaves. The best time to harvest is during the plant's flowering period in summer and fall; this is when the phytochemicals (most notably, absinthin in Artemesia absinthium) are at their highest. Collect your leaves into small bunches and secure them with a rubber band. Hang them and let them dry in a dark, dry place with some air movement. When they have dried completely, place them in an air-tight container for storage until you are ready to use them. Artemisia leaves can be used for making teas that can be sprayed topically and used as a insect repellent, and ingested to improve digestion. Common Wormwood is used to flavor wines, vermouths and liquors. Artemisia vulgaris leaves can be used alongside apples to make a delicious jam.

Artemisia foliage is sometimes used as filler in cut flower arrangements. In spring or summertime, clip foliage-clothed stems towards their base at an angle using clean, sharpened shears. Drop the cuttings into a bucket of cool water. Remove leaves lower than the water line when arranging. Artemisia stems can last in a vase for between 5 and 10 days. Change water every few days for the longest vase life.

Propagation

There are a few common ways that Artemisia are propagated: through seed, via cuttings, or by dividing established plants. Many Artemisias are hybrids whose seeds are sterile, so harvesting and trying to germinate the seeds produced by your plant may not be a viable way of propagation. Furthermore, those grown from seed may not always mimic the qualities of the parent. Keep these points in mind as you decide on your propagation method.

Propagating Artemisia by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material.
  2. In summer, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate by cutting. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 4-6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip off the bottom two leaves. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot so that the lowest set of leaves is just above the soil surface. Gently fill in soil around the base to support the cutting; do not pack the soil down.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept a sunny spot indoors where it receives bright, indirect light. Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. Rooting times vary depending on which Artemisia plant you're propagating, so continue to check for roots every so often around three to four weeks after planting. When you notice new growth on your propagated plant, it's a good sign that you have roots, as well. After your plant has sprouted roots, decrease watering to once a week.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright indirect light and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist for about a year, after which you can transplant it to its new home in your yard. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Artemisia by Division
Artemisia is most easily propagated by division, which means that you are essentially dividing an existing plant into two (or more) after digging it out of the ground. Regardless of whether you're intentionally trying to propagate your plant, you'll want to divide most of these shrubs every three to five years. A trick for knowing when to propagate your Mugwort is to check if the plant is developing a bit of a bald spot in the middle. If this is happening, it is a good time to divide. To propagate your Artemisia by division, follow the directions below:
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean garden trowel or shovel (depending on the size of the plant), an extra pot (that will accommodate the size of the division you'll be creating), and organic potting soil (if you won't be planting your division directly in the ground).
  2. Choose the plant you're going to divide in either spring (in cooler climates) or fall (in warmer climates), and water it the night before to loosen up the soil. It should be a healthy plant; if it is not, wait until the plant has recovered to divide it. Dig up the entire root ball, starting around the outside and working your way in, being careful to damage as few roots as possible in the process. Lay out the plant on its side once you've gotten it out of the ground.
  3. Divide the root ball into sections, ensuring that each division has heathy roots and crown eyes.
  4. Replant each division immediately, either directly into the ground or into pots prepped with organic potting soil. 
  5. Water your divisions generously, and provide with water regularly as it establishes its root system.

Propagating Artemisia by Seed
Artemisia seeds can either be started indoors or direct-sown in spring or early summertime, though the seeds are pretty small, so it may be best to germinate indoors and then transplant, depending on your situation. If sown outdoors, they can be overwhelmed by weeds or move around during waterings. To propagate your Artemisia plant via seed, follow these instructions:
  1. ​The seeds on your Artemisia plant will be ready for harvesting in the fall, between September and October. You'll know when they can be harvested when the panicles turn brown and get dry. Harvest as many as you can to increase your chances of germination.
  2. Remove the seeds from their seed pods, and place them in a seed bag or other container, as they are small and easy to lose.
  3. When you are ready to plant them, gather your materials: a pot or seed tray filled with potting soil (watered to ensure that good drainage is occurring), a spray bottle filled with water, 
  4. Place your seeds on top of the soil in your container, and cover with a very light dusting of more soil. Spray the surface of the soil with your spray bottle, being careful to not disturb the small seeds too much or push them farther down into the soil. Place your pot or seed tray in a sunny, indoor location that stays around 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
  5. ​Keep the soil moist as the seedlings develop. Not all of your seedlings will germinate, but they should start to show growth in about 14-30 days. After they are about four inches tall, you can start to thin them out so they have enough room to continue putting growth and roots on (use a fork to work them up out of the soil, and then replant them carefully). Continue to keep the soil moist (but not wet), and monitor for growth.
  6. Your plants will reach maturity at about 65 days after germination occurs, and at this time you can plant them outdoors.
  7. If you are choosing to direct-sow your seeds, they should be planted about a half inch deep in a sunny location. The seeds will take around 90 to 120 days to sprout and mature into flowering plants.​​
Artemisia seed pods.
Artemisia seeds.

Problems and pests

Artemisia shrubs have very few pests and issues, though in conditions of high humidity, they can be susceptible to:
  • Powdery Mildew
  • ​Fungal Rust
  • ​Fungal Leaf and Stem Rots
For more information on these pests and diseases, consult the following pages:
​

Gallery

Artemisia adds an icy-green hue to gardens, and does well in water-wise and cottage garden settings.
Artemisia range in size from groundcover types to full shrubs; take care in choosing the right size for your space before planting.
Common Wormwood is used to flavor wines, liquors and vermouths, most notably the product Absinthe.

videos

An informative video about Artemisia absinthum.
How to prune and prep Artemisia ludovictana albula 'Valerie Finnis' for the winter and spring months.
Growing and caring for Tree Artemisia.
Growing Artemisia from seed.

Resources

How to Grow and Care for Artemisia
Floral Encounters: Wormwood
Mugwort: A Foraged Friendship
Wormwood Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects
Wikipedia: Artemisia (plant)
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 169 - 171, Artemisia