Common mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris (Taxonomy, Characteristics, Symbolism, Images, Control)

Common mugwort

Also known as: Wild Wormwood, Naughty Man, Sailor's tobacco, Common wormwood, St. John's plant

Common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is an herbaceous plant often found in nitrogen-rich soils. The plant's scent is reportedly a mild insect repellant. Common mugwort is used as an offering in Nepalese temples. Tradition holds that it has cleansing properties, so believers also use it to sweep their floors to give them both a spiritual and physical cleaning.

Scientific classification

Species

Common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Asters bellflowers fanflowers and allies

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Weeds

Weed or not

Perennial

Lifespan

Herb

Plant Type

Summer, Fall

Bloom Time

Summer, Fall

Harvest Time

60 cm to 2 m

Plant Height

90 cm to 1.8 m

Spread

Green

Leaf Color

2 cm to 3 cm

Flower Size

Brown, Copper

Fruit Color

Yellow, Green, Brown

Flower Color

Green, Purple, Brown

Stem Color

Winter dormancy

Dormancy

Deciduous

Leaf type

5 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Summer, Fall

Growth Season

Rapid

Growth Rate

Images of Common mugwort

Distribution of Common mugwort

Distribution Map

Common mugwort has a large native range: across Europe and Eurasia and into Indo-China and North Africa. It grows widely in little-used spaces like roadsides and wasteland. It has been introduced into North America, where it is considered an invasive weed.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Hedgebanks, waysides, uncultivated and wasteland

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Culture

Garden Use

The gentle fragrance of common mugwort makes it popular in herb and cottage gardens. This graceful plant works well as a border plant or an accent for wildflowers. It produces decorative flowers during the summer and fall, which also draws in butterflies and bees. There are several cultivars, so you can find a variety that will serve your garden needs.

Symbolism

Strength, visions, Protection, healing

Interesting Facts

Commonly written off as a weed today, common mugwort has historically been valued for various uses. It has a history of being used as a bittering agent in ales that predates the use of hops. It also served as an herbal medicine since ancient times and as a substitute for tobacco.

Name Story

Common mugwort: It is the most common species among its genus. The name, mugwort is derived from midge and wort with the combined meaning of mosquito-repelling grass. As it is a good mosquito repellent, it is called common mugwort.

Sailor's tobacco: When it comes to sailors, the time they set sail on the sea can last up to months and the tobacco that they brought on always run out before they return. Hence, it is the best substitute for tobacco when they run out of it. So, it is called sailor's tobacco.

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Weed Control

Despite its desirable aromatic properties, common mugwort can be a very weedy plant. It is undesirable in agricultural fields, along railways and roadsides. It is also listed as a common or troublesome agricultural weed in the US states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Common mugwort is difficult to control because it spreads efficiently underground via rhizomes, plus it is a generally hardy plant. These traits make it capable of taking over large areas if not controlled. Another reason it is considered a weed is that it causes dermatological toxicity in some susceptible individuals. In warmer regions, it can also spread via seeds.

Controlling common mugwort manually can be a time-consuming task, but it is still doable. Removing the plants constantly by hand or machine will eventually exhaust the entire plant, including the underground stems.

How to Control It

The optimal season for removing common mugwort is spring, specifically before the plant gets to the flowering stage when it starts producing seeds. Here are some methods of removal and control:

Hand pulling: This is the most basic, straightforward method. You simply need to uproot the weed, trying your best to remove all its roots to prevent it from regrowing.
Hoeing: A sharp garden hoe is used to cut the weed off at its base, just below the soil surface. This method is useful when the soil is dry, and may need repeating now and then as the plant starts to grow again.
Smothering: This involves covering the ground where common mugwort is growing, with thick layers of mulch or newspaper. This denies the plant sunlight and air, stats it needs for photosynthesis, and it eventually dies and decomposes.
Solarization: This involves sunny weather. First, you'll need to mow or trim the common mugwort to ground level, then cover that area with a clear plastic tarp. The sun's rays will heat up the soil underneath the tarp, killing common mugwort and other unwanted plants.
Organic herbicide: This involves the use of naturally derived herbicides like vinegar or clove oil which cause damage to plant leaves. Just fill a spray bottle with the herbicide and apply on the plant's leaves, ensuring not to damage other wanted plants around. Reapply if necessary until the plant withers and dies.

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Quickly Identify Common mugwort

Deeply lobed, dark green leaves with silver-white undersides.

Angular, furrowed reddish-brown stems with minimal hair.

Small compound flowers in panicles, dull yellowish-green to reddish-brown.

Erect or drooping egg-shaped flowers, blooming July to October.

Dry achene fruit for wind dispersion, inconspicuous and small.

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Care Guide for Common mugwort

Every week

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

5 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Water: Originating from temperate regions, common mugwort thrives in well-drained soil with moderate moisture. It requires weekly watering to maintain hydration without oversaturation. As an herbaceous perennial, common mugwort adapts to low rainfall by entering dormancy, reducing its water needs during dry periods.

Fertilize: Common mugwort thrives in less rich soils, requiring minimal fertilization. Over-fertilization risks causing leggy growth. A small amount of compost or organic fertilizers in spring or fall suffices to deliver essential nutrients for optimal growth.

Pruning: Pruning common mugwort varies by species; cut back to the base in fall or spring for growth. Evergreen types require early spring pruning. Trim leaves in summer to manage height (5-6 ft) and improve airflow, preventing mildew. Wear gloves due to skin irritants from common mugwort.

Propagation: Common mugwort propagates best through division in spring or autumn. Success is shown by new growth and stable roots. Maintain proper moisture levels and steer clear of overwatering to ensure healthy development.

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