Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood) 9 cm Pot

Growth habit & appearance: Artemisia absinthium forms an upright, bushy clump of finely divided, silver-grey foliage covered in a soft, silky down. Its strongly aromatic leaves create a luminous, shimmering effect in sunlight, making wormwood instantly recognisable in any herb garden. Stems rise to around 90 - 120 cm and carry small yellowish flower heads in mid to late summer, though the beautifully textured foliage remains the plant’s most distinctive feature. The scent is powerful and resinous, contributing to its long-standing herbal and practical value.

Growing conditions: Fully hardy in Ireland, wormwood thrives in full sun to light shade and prefers well-drained, moderately poor soil. Its native European origins give it excellent resilience in cool, dry, breezy sites, and it dislikes heavy, waterlogged ground. Once planted out from its 9 cm pot, it establishes quickly into a soft, silvery shrub. Rich soil is unnecessary—wormwood performs best when the ground is not overly fertile.

Traditional & herbal uses: Artemisia absinthium has a long tradition of use as a worm-expelling herb, and its pungent foliage has been referenced historically as an external antiseptic and as a natural insect repellant. The aerial parts collected in full flower are the portion most commonly mentioned in historical herbal practice.

Maintenance & harvesting: Cut the plant back in late winter to encourage compact, fresh growth each spring. Harvest aerial parts when the plant is in full flower, taking care not to strip stems too heavily. For propagation, take softwood cuttings in spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. Wormwood responds well to periodic pruning, which prevents it becoming too woody and maintains its bushy form. Ensure good drainage through wet winters to keep the root system healthy.