Artemisia scoparia Seeds | Broom Wormwood
LATIN NAME: Artemisia scoparia
COMMON NAME: Broom Wormwood
Plant Profile
Broom Wormwood (Artemisia scoparia) is a wispy, aromatic annual or biennial of the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to the dry lands of Europe and Asia. It grows 30-100 cm tall, with very finely divided, feathery foliage that turns reddish in autumn and dense panicles of tiny flower heads. Closely related to yin chen (A. capillaris), it shares that herb’s traditional uses, and its dried stems were once bound into brooms.
Science & Biotechnology
As part of the Artemisia group, Artemisia scoparia contributes to research on plant classification and adaptation, while nurseries and gardeners continue to trial it for cultivation. Separately, in parts of North America where it has naturalised, broom wormwood is studied as a rangeland and roadside weed, its fine seed dispersing efficiently across disturbed ground. In practice, its long garden history means the grower inherits a plant of known and dependable habits.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Broom Wormwood for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. In regions where it has naturalised as a weed, it is generally managed rather than cultivated. Once it has its roots down, it more or less looks after itself.
This artemisia is a close kin of Yin Chen Hao with parallel folk use for liver comfort, and a fine, feathery ornamental.
Growing from Seed
Broom Wormwood is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Sow fine seed onto surface of a loose, well-drained mix without covering it deeply, keeping medium consistently moist. Full sun suits this fast-establishing annual to biennial well, and it typically does well under ordinary garden conditions. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in full sun. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Its long record of traditional use, described above, gives the plant a story beyond ornament. Given the right start, Broom Wormwood is a long-term garden companion. From then on, routine care is all that is required.
Related Reading
More species in the same orbit as Broom Wormwood: