Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
Wormwood is a silvery, intensely bitter perennial herb famous as the flavoring of absinthe and vermouth. Its finely divided gray-green foliage is aromatic and drought-tough.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low; drought-tolerant
- Difficulty
- Easy
Got a plant like this?
Identify any plant from a photo, free.
Overview
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a woody-based perennial known for its silvery, silky foliage and profound bitterness, which gives it the proverbial reputation as the bitterest of herbs.
It has been used for millennia as a vermifuge (to expel worms, hence the name) and as the signature botanical in absinthe. The plant contains thujone, which is toxic in large doses, so internal use is limited and regulated.
How to identify it
- Foliage: Soft, silver-gray, silky-haired leaves deeply divided into blunt lobes
- Flowers: Tiny, drooping, yellowish ball-shaped flowerheads in branched panicles in late summer
- Habit: Bushy, woody-based perennial 2-4 ft tall
- Scent: Strong, sage-like, bitter aroma when crushed
- Texture: Whole plant has a felted, frosted appearance
Care & growing
Light: Full sun is essential for compact growth and silver color.
Water: Very drought-tolerant; let soil dry between waterings.
Soil: Poor to average, well-drained soil; tolerates dry, alkaline ground.
Temperature: Hardy to USDA zone 4.
Feeding: Not needed; rich soil causes floppy growth.
Propagation: Division in spring, cuttings, or seed. Cut back hard in spring to refresh the foliage.
Habitat & origin
Native to temperate Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, wormwood grows on dry, disturbed, rocky ground, roadsides, and wastelands.
It has naturalized widely in North America and is grown in herb gardens, silver borders, and xeriscapes worldwide.
Uses & benefits
- Culinary/beverage: The defining flavor of absinthe and a component of vermouth and bitters
- Ornamental: Grown for its luminous silver foliage in mixed borders
- Medicinal (traditional): Long used as a digestive bitter and to expel intestinal worms
- Practical: Acts as a natural insect and moth repellent; sometimes used as a companion or strewing herb
Frequently asked questions
Is wormwood the plant in absinthe?
Yes. Artemisia absinthium is the herb that gives absinthe its name and characteristic bitterness, along with anise and fennel.
Is wormwood safe to consume?
Only in small, controlled amounts. It contains thujone, which is neurotoxic in high doses, so unregulated internal use is discouraged.
Why is it called wormwood?
Because it was traditionally used as a vermifuge to expel intestinal parasites (worms) in people and livestock.
How do I keep wormwood looking silvery?
Give it full sun and lean, dry soil, and cut it back hard in spring. Rich, wet soil leads to floppy, greener growth.
Wormwood guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Wormwood.
