Common Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
A silvery, aromatic pioneer shrub that repels pests and colonises rough ground fast. Potent stuff — its roots suppress nearby plants and it's toxic if eaten, so give it its own space.
Common Wormwood in a syntropic line
Common Wormwood belongs in the Ground cover layer as a Secondary species. Aim for 2–4 species for resilient, continuous cover. Rough in-row spacing starts around 0.3 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Cork oak, European nettle tree. As a Secondary species it carries mid-term yield and structure while climax trees slowly claim the canopy.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Ground cover
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Sandy, Loam, Rocky
- Soil pH range
- 5.5 – 8
- Min. temperature
- -30°C
- Min. rainfall
- 350 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- High
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Europe
- Native to Portugal
- No
How to manage it
Hardy pioneer shrub and natural pest-repellent; cut back hard each year to keep it dense and stop it going woody and leggy.
How to propagate
Scatter seed on bare ground in spring — it germinates fast and needs no special treatment.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Strongly allelopathic - roots and leaves release absinthin, suppressing germination and growth of nearby plants; keep away from seed beds. Toxic if ingested in quantity by humans and livestock.
Frequently asked questions about Common Wormwood
Is common wormwood frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -30°C when dormant, with high frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does common wormwood need?
It does best on sandy, loam, rocky ground, at pH about 5.5–8.
How much water does common wormwood need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 350 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can common wormwood handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — common wormwood has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with common wormwood?
Strongly allelopathic - roots and leaves release absinthin, suppressing germination and growth of nearby plants; keep away from seed beds. Toxic if ingested in quantity by humans and livestock.
Common Wormwood in soil templates
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