Sweet Wormwood
Artemisia annua
An aromatic annual herb featuring delicate, fern-like, deeply dissected light-green leaves and tiny, yellow, nodding flower heads arranged in loose panicles.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimum growth.
- Water
- Moderate water needs; relatively drought-tolerant once established. Avoid overwatering or waterlogged conditions.
- Growth
- Fast-growing, upright annual herb reaching 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) in height with a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
Care instructions
Provide full sun and well-draining soil. Water moderately during growth, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings. Apply balanced fertilizer lightly during late spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimum growth.
Watering
Moderate water needs; relatively drought-tolerant once established. Avoid overwatering or waterlogged conditions.
Soil
Well-drained sandy, loamy, or clay soils; prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0).
Hardiness zone
USDA Zones 4 through 10 (grown as an annual)
Growth habit
Fast-growing, upright annual herb reaching 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) in height with a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
Bloom season
Late summer to autumn, producing abundant tiny yellowish flowers in nodding, loose clusters.
Propagation
Propagated mainly by seed sown directly outdoors in spring after frost, or started indoors 4-6 weeks prior.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soil; occasional powdery mildew or aphids in high humidity.
Similar species
Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort), which has coarser leaves with whitish woolly undersides, and Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood), which has silvery-grey foliage.