Also known as Wormwood · 798 saves
Artemisia
Artemisia, the genus most gardeners know as wormwood. We track 26 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 24 most-saved Artemisia varieties
See all 26 Artemisia varieties →Search this genus →
6 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 26 most-grown of them.
The Artemisia year
- PruneFebruary and March92% of varieties
Cut back woody stems by 1/3 to 1/2 in early spring to encourage bushiness
- DivideMarch, April and September92% of varieties
Lift and divide every two or three years to keep it in bounds.
- Spring CleanupFebruary50% 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 | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| 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 and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| 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 26 distinct Artemisia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 798 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.