Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris
An upright, herbaceous perennial growing on tall, stiff, often purplish stems. The leaves are deeply lobed, dark green above, and covered in dense, silvery-white woolly hairs on the underside.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Low watering needs once established; allow soil to dry out completely between waterings. Highly drought tolerant.
- Growth
- Herbaceous perennial with an upright, branching growth form, spreading rapidly via creeping underground rhizomes. Reaches a mature height of 3 to 6 feet with a rapid growth rate.
Care instructions
Thrives in full sun with average to poor, well-drained soils. Water moderately during establishment, becoming very drought tolerant once mature. Minimal maintenance is required, though containment may be needed due to aggressive spread.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Low watering needs once established; allow soil to dry out completely between waterings. Highly drought tolerant.
Soil
Adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, or clay substrates, with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.
Growth habit
Herbaceous perennial with an upright, branching growth form, spreading rapidly via creeping underground rhizomes. Reaches a mature height of 3 to 6 feet with a rapid growth rate.
Bloom season
Blooms from mid-summer to early autumn, producing small, inconspicuous, yellowish or reddish-brown flower heads arranged in narrow, leafy panicles.
Propagation
Propagates easily through division of established root clumps in spring or autumn, or through stem cuttings and self-seeded propagation.
Common pests & issues
Generally resistant to major insect pests and diseases, though can occasionally be affected by powdery mildew or rust in damp, overcrowded conditions.
Similar species
Other Artemisia species such as Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), which features more intensely silver-gray foliage throughout and a more shrubby base.