Southernwood
Artemisia abrotanum · Asteraceae
📷 Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant southernwood: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Southernwood, lad's love
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Type
- Woody perennial herb
- Adult height
- 80 to 120 cm
- Foliage
- Deciduous, finely cut, soft green
- Flowering
- August to September, small yellow flowers
- Hardiness
- Hardy, down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Wormwood thrives in poor, well-drained soil: the harsher the conditions, the more intense its aromatic punch. Rich soil makes it leggy and wimpy on fragrance.
The common mistake
Watering or amending regularly.
The pro's trick
Take semi-hardwood cuttings in August/September.
Care
Exposure
Southernwood demands full sun to flourish fully and develop its characteristic aromas. It tolerates partial shade fairly well but flowers less abundantly then. Plant it in an airy location, away from overly humid and confined areas.
Watering
Water regularly during the first summer after planting to establish the root system. Once well established, southernwood tolerates drought well and needs only occasional watering during periods of intense heat. Avoid waterlogging, which causes root rot.
Soil and drainage
Southernwood prefers light, well-drained soil, even poor or stony. It adapts to dry terrain and doesn't mind lean soils. A contribution of fine compost at planting is sufficient; enriching the soil too much encourages foliage at the expense of aromatic oils.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly in spring to maintain a compact, bushy shape. You can harvest young stems throughout the growing season. In late autumn, cut back dead growth after the first frosts. This plant responds well to pruning and can be rejuvenated every 3 to 4 years.
Fertilizer
Southernwood requires minimal fertilization. A contribution of compost in early spring is plenty. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which weaken hardiness and result in less concentrated essential aromas.
Diseases and pests
Southernwood is generally very robust and rarely troubled by pests thanks to its essential oils. In very humid areas, watch for root rot and improve drainage. Aphids may occasionally visit, but often disappear naturally.
Did you know?
Southernwood also bears the poetic name 'lad's love' owing to its very pleasant lemon scent that intensifies when you rub the leaves. For centuries, it was cultivated in monastic gardens and medieval apothecaries, renowned for its digestive virtues and its power to ward off moths from stored clothing.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SunflowerHelianthus annuus
- YarrowAchillea millefolium
- Ox-eye daisyLeucanthemum vulgare
- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.