Wormwood Artemisia absinthium
ABOUT
A. absinthium is an upright deciduous perennial, with finely divided, highly aromatic grey-green foliage and rather insignificant yellowish flowers in late summer
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae.
Synonyms
Wormwood, Absinthe Wormwood, Grand Wormwood, Absinthium, Green Ginger, Wermut.
Common names
Absinthium majus, Absinthium officinale, Absinthium vulgare, Artemisia arborescens, Artemisia baldaccii, Artemisia doonense, Artemisia inodora, Artemisia kulbadica, Artemisia pendula, Artemisia rhaetica.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-9
Native area
Eurasia
Benefits
General Benefits- Flavoring Agent: The plant is used to flavor absinthe, a spirit, as well as other alcoholic beverages and foods.
- Insect Repellent: It contains compounds that can repel mosquitoes and other insects when applied to the skin or used in insect repellent formulations.
- Gardening: Wormwood can help deter pests from the garden without the use of harsh chemicals.
- Culinary Use: It's occasionally used in small doses to impart bitterness to certain dishes and to stimulate appetite.
- Ornamental Value: With its silvery-green foliage and small yellow flowers, wormwood is often planted for ornamental purposes in landscapes and gardens.
- Traditional Uses: It has a long history of use in various traditions for making bitters and other herbal preparations.
Medical Properties- Antimicrobial: Artemisia absinthium has properties that help inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and fungi.
- Antiparasitic: Traditionally used to expel intestinal worms and other parasites.
- Antispasmodic: May relieve muscle spasms and cramps.
- Appetite Stimulant: Historically used to stimulate appetite and alleviate digestive issues.
- Choleretic: Increases the flow of bile from the liver, which can help with digestion and liver function.
- Anti-inflammatory: Contains compounds that may reduce inflammation in the body.
- Emmenagogue: Can stimulate menstrual flow, and has historically been used to address menstrual issues.
- Hepatoprotective: May offer some protection to the liver against various toxins.
- Nervine: It has been used as a nerve tonic to help with anxiety and nervousness.
- Antioxidant: Contains compounds that may help protect cells from oxidative stress.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Wormwood has been traditionally used in the production of the spirit Absinthe, which was once banned for its supposed psychoactive properties.
- Insect Repellent: The strong aromatic oils present in wormwood may naturally repel insects like moths and mosquitoes when planted in a garden or when the leaves are placed in closets or drawers.
- Companion Planting: Wormwood can be used in the garden near susceptible plants to help deter insect pests, acting as a companion plant.
- Food Flavoring: Although bitter, wormwood can be used in small amounts to flavor certain dishes and culinary preparations, especially in European cuisine.
- Natural Dye: The plant can be used to produce a green dye for textiles as part of traditional crafts or artisanal fabric making processes.
- Fragrance: Wormwood's strong scent is used in some perfumes and aromatic products to give them a distinctive earthy and herbaceous note.
- Literary Symbol: Wormwood has been used symbolically in literature to represent bitterness and sorrow, particularly in the famous line from the Bible, "Wormwood, wormwood."
- Garden Aesthetic: Due to its silvery-green foliage, wormwood is often planted for its aesthetic value as part of a garden's ornamental flora.
- Culinary Bitters: Small amounts of wormwood are sometimes included in the formulation of aromatic bitters that are used as a flavoring in cocktails.
- Crafting Decorations: The leaves and flowers of the wormwood plant can be dried and used in potpourri or as decorations in craft projects for their texture and visual appeal.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiWormwood is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityWormwood is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: Artemisia absinthium, commonly known as wormwood, has historically been used in various cultures as an herb for protection against evil spirits and negative energies.
- Healing: Wormwood is known for its medicinal properties, including its use in treating stomach ailments and as a bitter tonic, symbolizing healing and health.
- Bitterness: The plant's very name, "wormwood," comes from its intensely bitter taste, which has become associated with experiences of bitterness or sorrow in life.
- Clearing Mind: Due to its use in absinthe, a spirit known for its purported psychoactive properties, wormwood has also become symbolic of mental clarity, creativity, and enlightenment.
- Poison: While useful in small doses, wormwood can be toxic in large amounts, thus coming to symbolize the fine line between medicine and poison, cautioning against excess.
WaterThe common name for Artemisia absinthium is Wormwood. Wormwood prefers to be kept on the drier side since it's native to arid environments. It's important to water the plant deeply, allowing water to penetrate several inches into the soil to encourage deep rooting. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. As a general guideline, watering once every two weeks with about half a gallon of water should suffice, adjusting for very hot or dry conditions which may require more frequent watering.
LightWormwood thrives best in full sun conditions where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It should be placed in the brightest spot of your garden or space where it can soak up plenty of sunshine without being shadowed by taller plants or structures. Partial shade is tolerated, but full sun is ideal for robust growth.
TemperatureWormwood is hardy and can survive a range of temperatures, but it grows best when daytime temperatures are between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. While it can withstand cold down to about -30 degrees Fahrenheit, it should not be exposed to temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods. The ideal temperature range allows for the robust growth and development of the plant.
PruningPruning Wormwood promotes a more compact and healthier plant. Prune in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. It's typically pruned once a year, but dead or damaged branches can be removed anytime. Cut back the plant by about a third to encourage bushiness and remove any thin, weak stems to allow for better air circulation.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWormwood, commonly known as Artemisia absinthium, thrives best in well-draining, sandy or loamy soil. A soil mix comprising equal parts of sand, compost, and peat or coir will support good growth. The soil pH for Wormwood should be neutral to slightly alkaline, around 6.0 to 7.5.
RepottingWormwood does not need frequent repotting; it should be repotted every two to three years, or as necessary when the plant outgrows its current container.
Humidity & MistingWormwood prefers dry to moderate humidity levels and is quite tolerant of arid conditions, making it well-suited to low-humidity environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Wormwood in a sunny spot with good air flow.
Outdoor
Plant Wormwood in full sun with well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleWormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a perennial herb that starts its life as a seed, germinating in early spring when soil temperatures warm up. The seedlings develop into a rosette of deeply lobed, silvery-green leaves that are aromatic. Over the first growing season, wormwood establishes a strong root system and vegetative growth. In subsequent years, the plant resumes growth in spring, maturing and producing tall stems which then flower in the late summer, bearing small yellow-green flowers arranged in leafy, branched clusters. After pollination, typically involving insects such as bees, the flowers produce seeds which are then dispersed by wind or other means. The plant may die back to the ground in winter, especially in colder climates, but it will regrow from its woody base come spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to summer
Wormwood, commonly known as Artemisia absinthium, is often propagated through the division of roots or by taking stem cuttings. The most popular method is by stem cuttings, which is typically done in late spring or early summer when new growth is most vigorous. To propagate by stem cuttings, a 4 to 6 inch piece of a healthy stem is cut just below a leaf node. This cutting is then stripped of its lower leaves and the cut end can be dipped in a rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. The prepared cutting is inserted into a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix, ensuring that at least one leaf node is beneath the soil surface. The soil should be maintained slightly moist until the cutting has rooted, which can be verified by gently tugging on the cutting to feel for resistance, indicating root growth. This method offers a simple and effective way to create new wormwood plants for the garden.
