Also known as Wormwood · 871 saves
Artemisia
Artemisia, the genus most gardeners know as wormwood. We track 33 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 24 most-saved Artemisia varieties
See all 33 Artemisia varieties →Search this genus →
12 species of Artemisia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Artemisia in Sow
Save the Artemisia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Artemisia
Whats common across all Artemisia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 33 most-grown of them.
The Artemisia year
- PruneMarch88% of varieties
Cut dead stems back hard to ground level before spring growth begins.
- DivideApril and October79% of varieties
Lift and divide every two or three years to keep it in bounds.
- Spring CleanupMarch and April52% of varieties
Remove old, dead, or damaged stems before new growth begins
Do
- Water sparingly once established 🌱
- Water sparingly once established 💧
- Prune back in early spring to maintain shape
- Water sparingly to prevent root rot 🌱
- Prune after flowering to shape the plant
Avoid
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Artemisia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Clusters of small, soft-bodied insects on tender new growth, causing minor leaf curling. | Knock them off with a strong spray of water or apply insecticidal soap to severe infestations. |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Generally pest-free | Aromatic foliage deters deer, rabbits and most insects | No treatment needed |
| Spider Mites | Webbing and speckled foliage | Use organic insecticidal soap and increase humidity |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing foliage and black, mushy roots caused by waterlogged soil. | Improve soil drainage and avoid overwatering; discard severely infected plants. |
| Powdery mildew | White, powdery fungal coating on the upper leaf surfaces in humid, stagnant conditions. | Space plants to improve air circulation and water only at the base to keep foliage dry. |
| Rust | Orange pustules on leaves in humid weather | Improve air movement; worse in damp rich soil |
Making more Artemisia
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch softwood cuttings in late spring.
- Dip in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist, well-drained potting mix.
- Keep soil moist for 6 weeks until roots develop.
Division
- Lift clumps in early spring.
- Split rhizomes into sections.
- Replant and water in once.
Artemisia questions
How many types of Artemisia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 33 distinct Artemisia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 871 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Artemisia grow in?
Across its varieties, Artemisia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Artemisia bloom?
Most Artemisia varieties bloom in mid-summer, late summer to fall, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Artemisia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.