Artemisia absinthium aka Wormwood
Taxonomy
Artemisia absinthium, also known as wormwood, grand wormwood, absinthe, absinthium, absinthe wormwood, mugwort, wermout, wermud, wormit, and wormod, is a species of Artemisia. It is native to North Africa and temperate regions of Eurasia, and has become widely naturalized in Canada and the northern United States. This erect, woody-based perennial can grow up to 1 meter tall and has aromatic silvery-grey leaves that are finely divided into slender lobes. In late summer, it produces slender sprays of small, dull yellow flower heads. Artemisia absinthium is grown as an ornamental plant and is a key ingredient in the production of absinthe and other alcoholic beverages. Within the Artemisia genus, which encompasses about 300 species, this particular variety stands out with its straight grooved stems and spirally arranged greenish-grey leaves covered in silky silvery-white trichomes.
Common names
Wormwood, Absinthe, Absinthe WormwoodHow to care for Wormwood
Difficulty
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Wormwood is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
Water
Wormwood should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Wormwood loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Wormwood prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Toxicity
Wormwood is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
Fertilizer
Repotting the Wormwood should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
Clumping is a defining characteristic of the Wormwood, with new growth appearing from the soil surrounding the primary plant.
Region of origin
Wormwood’s native range is Temperate regions of Europe and Asia, including Britain, north to Lapland and Siberia.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Artemisia Genus
Artemisia ludoviciana White Sagebrush
Artemisia cana Silver Sagebrush
Artemisia umbelliformis Alpine Wormwood
Artemisia suksdorfii Suksdorf Sagewort
Artemisia sericea Artemisia Sericea
Artemisia cina Levant Wormseed
Artemisia douglasiana Douglas' Sagewort
Artemisia verlotiorum Mugwort
