Wormwood Crowns – Artemisia absinthium
$12.00
Bitter Medicinal Herb | Absinthe Plant | Silver Foliage Beauty
This is for 1 bare rooted dormant crown/ plant division with growth tip that will start growing in Spring. Plant as soon as you receive it and mulch to protect the roots from frost.
Classic Bitter Herb with Historic Tradition
Add striking silvery beauty and powerful traditional herbal uses to your garden with Wormwood crowns. This hardy perennial forms a bushy, upright plant with finely divided, feathery, silver-grey leaves and a strong, aromatic scent. In late summer it produces small, inconspicuous yellowish flower heads.
Wormwood is a classic herb garden and ornamental plant, valued for its distinctive appearance and long history in traditional medicine and beverage making. Excellent for dry borders, rock gardens, and as a natural pest-repelling companion plant.
3 in stock
Description
Traditional & Medicinal Uses
Wormwood has been used for over 2,000 years in European and traditional herbal practices:
- Digestive Bitter: One of the strongest bitter herbs — stimulates digestion, appetite, and bile flow. Traditionally used for indigestion, bloating, and sluggish digestion.
- Antiparasitic: Famous for its use against intestinal worms and other parasites (hence the common name).
- Absinthe & Bitters: The key flavouring herb in absinthe, vermouth, and digestive bitters.
- Other Traditional Uses: External use for minor wounds, insect bites, and as a natural insect repellent. Also used historically for fever, menstrual support, and liver stimulation.
Important Safety Note: Contains thujone, which can be toxic in large or prolonged doses. Not recommended for internal use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or for people with seizures, liver/kidney issues, or on certain medications. Use with great caution and always consult a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider before any medicinal use. Best suited for external applications or very small, controlled culinary/bitters use.
Why Grow Wormwood?
- Beautiful silvery, aromatic foliage adds contrast in the garden
- Strong scent repels many pests and deer
- Drought tolerant and hardy once established
- Historic and ornamental appeal
- Valuable for homemade bitters and traditional herbal preparations
- Low-maintenance perennial
Ideal for New Zealand: Grows well in Canterbury and drier, sunny parts of the country. Prefers Mediterranean-style conditions.
How to Grow Wormwood Crowns
Planting:
- Plant crowns in spring or autumn.
- Set crowns just below soil level, spacing 45–60 cm (18–24 inches) apart.
- Water well after planting.
Soil & Care:
- Prefers well-drained, average to poor, slightly alkaline soil. Avoid rich, wet soils.
- Full sun for best silver colour and growth.
- Very drought tolerant once established — water sparingly.
- Low-maintenance. Cut back in late autumn or early spring to keep tidy.
Growth & Harvest:
- Height: 60–120 cm (24–48 inches)
- Spread: 45–60 cm
- Blooms: Late summer (small yellow flowers)
- Harvest: Pick leaves as needed for drying or making tinctures/bitters. Best before flowering for strongest aroma.
- Divide every 3–4 years to maintain vigour and prevent woody centres.
Wormwood is tough, forgiving, and thrives with minimal care in the right spot.
Available May – Sept
