Wormwood Plant Care
Absinthium viridiflorum Besser
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Artemisia alba, called white mugwort, white wormwood, white artemisia, or camphor southernwood, is a species of Artemisia native to Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, Sicily, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and the Balkans. Its currently unrecognized subtaxon Artemisia alba 'Canescens' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Wormwood?
Water 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 Wormwood Native To?
What Is the Wormwood?
Wormwood (Absinthium viridiflorum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Absinthium genus. Wormwood is native to Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, Sicily, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and the Balkans.
Wormwood displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Wormwood produces small yellow flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wormwood?
Absinthium viridiflorum 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 Wormwood Need?
Wormwood thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wormwood Prefer?
Absinthium viridiflorum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Wormwood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wormwood?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Wormwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wormwood?
Feed 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 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 Wormwood?
Wormwood can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball.
Is the 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 Wormwood?
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 Wormwood Need?
Wormwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Wormwood is native to Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, Sicily, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and the Balkans.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
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.
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 viridiflorum Besser, family Asteraceae (first published in Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 1: 246 (1829)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, 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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