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 Wormwood

How 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

Wormwood requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Absinthe is always in the right place to thrive.

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