Mugwort Plant Care

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Artemisia genus. Mugwort is native to Europe, Asia, North America. Mugwort is also known as Common Wormwood, St. John's Plant, Felon Herb.

Mugwort displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Mugwort produces insignificant small yellow or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mugwort every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Mugwort thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Artemisia vulgaris tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Mugwort prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Good drainage is essential for Mugwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mugwort every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mugwort is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Mugwort can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Mugwort while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Mugwort is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Mugwort can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wormwood plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Mugwort is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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.

Mugwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mugwort is native to Europe, Asia, North America. In cooler regions, grow Mugwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.