Wormleaf Bush Plant Care

Wormleaf Bush (Picradeniopsis absinthifolia) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Picradeniopsis genus. Wormleaf Bush is native to Mexico and the south-western United States.

Wormleaf Bush displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Wormleaf Bush produces small daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wormleaf Bush every 7–10 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.

Wormleaf Bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Picradeniopsis absinthifolia tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Wormleaf Bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Wormleaf Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Wormleaf Bush 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 loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wormleaf Bush is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Wormleaf Bush can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Wormleaf Bush 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.

Wormleaf Bush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Wormleaf Bush can be propagated through seeds, division of root clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bigelow's desert parsley plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Wormleaf Bush is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

Wormleaf Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Wormleaf Bush is native to Mexico and the south-western United States. In cooler regions, grow Wormleaf Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.