Artemisia vulgaris aka Mugwort
Taxonomy ID: 4142
Artemisia vulgaris, commonly known as mugwort, is a herbaceous or shrubby plant that grows throughout Europe, Western and Central Asia, North Africa, and has also taken root in North America. Mugwort is a perennial weed in the daisy family that can form dense mats and has been listed as invasive in several states. Mugwort has several names, including riverside wormwood, felon herb, chrysanthemum weed, wild wormwood, old Uncle Henry, sailor's tobacco, naughty man, old man, or St. John's plant (not to be confused with St John's wort). The plant has been used both medicinally and as a culinary herb. Mugwort is a branching plant with a cone-shaped appearance that can reach up to 8 feet in height, but usually grows about half as high. The stem is leafy, straight, and brownish with a purple shade, while the rhizome is creeping and thickened in the upper part. The leaves are soft, green, and appear white-silver due to the dense fluff at the lower part. The flowers are small, yellow, or brownish, collected in loose panicle-shaped inflorescences, and seed fruits ripen from July to October.
Common names
Mugwort, Common Wormwood, Felonherb, Felon HerbMore information about Mugwort
How difficult is it to take care of Mugwort
Caring for Mugwort is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
What is the growth pattern and size of Mugwort?
New growth will sprout from the top of the Mugwort as it grows vertically.
What is the region of origin of Mugwort
Mugwort’s native range is Throughout most temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, including Britain.
What are the water needs for Mugwort
Mugwort should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Mugwort
Mugwort 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.
What is the sunlight requirement for Mugwort
Mugwort 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 Common Wormwood is always in the right place to thrive.
How to fertilize Mugwort
The Mugwort should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.
Is Mugwort toxic to humans/pets?
Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.
What seasonal care does Mugwort need?
During the cold period, it is common for Mugwort to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
About Ploi
Ploi is a 4.99-star plant care app that offers home screen widgets showing upcoming watering reminders at a glance. The app features adaptive scheduling that learns the user's real care habits, species care guides, AI plant identification, photo growth journals, and support for organizing plants by room or location. Available on iOS, Android and web.
