SEASONAL PLANTING NOTICE (February 2025): Sweet wormwood planted now will likely flower and go to seed quickly as days shorten into autumn. While greenhouse/igloo growing may briefly delay this process, it cannot prevent the plant's natural cycle triggered by shortening daylight hours. For best results, either plant now and collect seeds for spring planting (August-October), or choose a location where it can self-seed naturally for next season. Please read the full description below for detailed growing advice

Usually available:

Life cycle: Annual
Height: 50cm - 1m
Position: Sun / Part shade
Soil preference: Well drained

This is how we pack and send your Herb Plants to all states except TAS & WA

You will receive
- 1 Sweet Wormwood Herb Plant in a 50 X 75mm tube - General growing instructions

All of our Herb Plants are grown organically with certified organic potting mixes and fertilizers

Botanical Name: Artemisia Annua

Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua)

Sweet wormwood, also known as sweet Annie, is a fast-growing annual herb reaching 1.5-2m in height. It features finely divided, feathery foliage with a distinctive sweet, camphor-like fragrance. The leaves are bright green and arranged in a spiral pattern along slender stems. Small, yellowish flowers appear in late summer to autumn, followed by tiny seeds that readily self-sow.

Native to temperate regions of Asia, sweet wormwood has gained global attention for its medicinal compounds, particularly artemisinin, which has been used in malaria treatments. Historically, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for fevers and inflammation.

Growing Conditions

Sweet wormwood thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. It performs best in poor to moderately fertile soil and doesn't require additional fertilizer. Once established, it's quite drought-tolerant and prefers conditions on the drier side.

In Australia, sweet wormwood grows particularly well in subtropical and temperate zones. On the Gold Coast and similar subtropical areas, it's best planted in spring (August-October) when days are lengthening, allowing it to develop fully before flowering.

Sweet wormwood is a short-day plant, meaning it initiates flowering when day length drops below approximately 13.5 hours. This explains why it often bolts (flowers and seeds) quickly in many Australian regions. To delay bolting:

• Plant in spring during increasing day length
• Provide afternoon shade in hot regions like Queensland
• Ensure adequate moisture without overwatering
• Pinch off early flower buds to extend vegetative growth

Areas less suitable for growing sweet wormwood include:

• Tropical regions (near-equatorial) where constant short days trigger premature flowering
• Waterlogged or poorly drained soils where root rot can occur
• Very cold regions with short growing seasons (though this isn't a concern in most of Australia)

Self-Seeding Success

Sweet wormwood readily self-seeds, often establishing a continuous cycle in suitable gardens. For successful self-seeding:

• Allow some plants to complete their life cycle and set seed
• Ensure seeds fall on open soil where they receive light for germination
• Expect volunteer seedlings in the following spring
• Thin seedlings as needed to prevent overcrowding

Harvesting & Uses

The best time to harvest sweet wormwood is just before or as flowering begins when aromatic oil content is highest. The leaves and flowering tops can be dried for herbal preparations or used fresh.

While most known for its medicinal applications, sweet wormwood also makes an attractive garden plant with its feathery texture and pleasant aroma. It can serve as a companion plant, as its scent may help deter certain garden pests.

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.