Wormwood
Artemisia tilesii
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Pl. B880 — Artemisia tilesii
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IOverview
Overview
Wormwood (Artemisia tilesii) is a perennial subshrub or herb that can grow up to 1.5 meters in height and thrives in light to partial sun with moist to dry conditions. Native to regions including Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Japan, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, and Krasnoyarsk, this plant is known for its edible shoots that can be used in culinary applications. Its adaptability to various soil types—ranging from light sandy to medium—and a pH range of 5 to 7.5 makes it a versatile addition to gardens or natural landscapes. Wormwood's distinctive feature lies in its ability to grow in diverse environments, making it a resilient and interesting choice for gardeners and botanists alike.
Quick answers
What is Wormwood?
Wormwood (Artemisia tilesii) is a perennial subshrub or herb that can grow up to 1.5 meters in height and thrives in light to partial sun with moist to dry conditions.
What is Wormwood used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Wormwood
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Wormwood appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tincture. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Wormwood has been traditionally used in European and Asian herbal medicine to support digestion, often prepared as a tea or tincture. It is believed to stimulate appetite and aid in the breakdown of fats.
The bitter compounds in wormwood activate digestive secretions and bile flow, which can help improve digestion and reduce bloating. However, the specific mechanism by which these effects occur is not fully characterised.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Digestive Harmony
digestiontincture
Traditional use for digestive issues.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Wormwood thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-draining soil that is light (sandy) or medium, with a pH between 5 and 7.5. It can tolerate dry conditions but performs best in moist soil. This perennial grows up to 1.5 meters tall and can be propagated through division or seeds. Hardy in temperate regions, it is native to areas including Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Japan, and Kamchatka. For optimal growth, ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Subshrub, Forb/herb
Mature size
1.5 m tall
Soil pH
5–7.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Wormwood for the first time
7steps
Start with a simple planting of Wormwood to get familiar with its care.
- 1
What you'll need
A small packet of Wormwood seeds, a container or garden bed, and some basic gardening tools like a trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring after the last frost or late summer for fall germination.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure your soil is well-draining with a pH between 5 and 7.5, and prepare by loosening it and removing any weeds.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the ground or start them indoors about 6 weeks before planting outside. Space plants 30-45 cm apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged during germination and early growth, providing full sun exposure.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water sparingly as Wormwood prefers dry conditions. Prune back in late winter to encourage new growth.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune regularly to maintain shape and prevent overgrowth, but avoid cutting into the woody stems.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Shoots
Edible uses: Condiment
Other uses:DisinfectantFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
24 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
24 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 24 native
Europe1 region
native (1)Russia
Asia1 region
native (1)Japan
Americas1 region
native (1)United States
Broader regions
native:Alberta, Idaho, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Magadan, Manitoba, Montana, Northwest Territorie, Nunavut, Ontario, Oregon, Québec, Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, Washington, Yakutskiya, Yukon, British Columbia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
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