Wormwood Artemisia absinthium
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Asteraceae family, native to Eurasia and North Africa. It grows 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) tall and 50–90 cm (20–35 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 70 cm (28 in) apart.
Plan Wormwood in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Wormwood at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Spacing | 70 cm (28 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eurasia and North Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇫🇷 France, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Invasive in | US (several states): check local rules before planting |
Is Wormwood toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: leaves, essential oil
Thujone in the oil is neurotoxic; ASPCA lists wormwood as toxic to pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Wormwood
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Keep apart or take care
- avoid With Fennel: Absinthin and related compounds released by wormwood have been shown to inhibit the growth of fennel and several other herbs in classic allelopathy trials. Keep them well apart. Evidence C
Allelopathy: Absinthin and other sesquiterpene lactones leached from foliage and roots inhibit the growth of neighbouring plants such as fennel and caraway. (within about 1 m (3.3 ft))
Questions about Wormwood
- How far apart should I plant Wormwood?
- About 70 cm (28 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–90 cm (20–35 in).
- Does Wormwood need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wormwood need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Wormwood?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Wormwood flower?
- From about July for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Wormwood poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Thujone in the oil is neurotoxic; ASPCA lists wormwood as toxic to pets.
- What grows well with Wormwood?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wormwood. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Semi-evergreen woody-based perennial; cut back hard in spring. Potentially invasive in dry grassland.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus