Photo: H Brisse (upload by Abalg)CC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Tree Wormwood Plant Care
Absinthium arborescens Moench
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Artemisia arborescens, the tree wormwood, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the Mediterranean region. It is an erect evergreen perennial, with masses of finely-divided aromatic silvery-white leaves and single-sided sprays of yellow daisy-like flowers. This plant is cultivated for its foliage effects, but in colder temperate regions it requires the protection of a wall.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tree Wormwood?
Water Tree Wormwood every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Tree Wormwood Native To?
What Is the Tree Wormwood?
Tree Wormwood (Absinthium arborescens) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Absinthium genus. Tree Wormwood is native to the Mediterranean region. Tree Wormwood is also known as Absinthium arborescens, Artemisia elegans.
Tree Wormwood displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Tree Wormwood produces small yellow flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tree Wormwood?
Absinthium arborescens requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Tree Wormwood Need?
Tree Wormwood thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tree Wormwood Prefer?
Absinthium arborescens grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Tree Wormwood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tree Wormwood?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Tree Wormwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tree Wormwood?
Feed Tree Wormwood every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Tree Wormwood?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Tree Wormwood?
Tree Wormwood can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball.
Is the Tree Wormwood Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Tree Wormwood?
Tree Wormwood is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Tree Wormwood Need?
Tree Wormwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Tree Wormwood is native to the Mediterranean region.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Tree Wormwood is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Absinthium genus (family Asteraceae) — search all Absinthium species in the plant lookup.
Tree Wormwood thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Absinthium arborescens Moench, family Asteraceae (first published in Methodus : 579 (1794)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Tree Wormwood is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: H Brisse (upload by Abalg), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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