Southernwood, is a shrub-like herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It is native to the Baltic States, but has been introduced in Eurasia, North America, and Africa. In the U.S. it is cultivated as an ornamental and may become a naturalized weed, particularly in disturbed areas. Upright branches with feathery gray-green leaves form bushy clumps noted for their pungent camphor-like scent. It produces small, inconspicuous, pale-yellow flowers. It is easily propagated by seed, root division, or by semi-hardwood stem-cuttings in late summer. Cutting plants back in the fall and dividing clumps every 3-4 years will help to maintain robust growth. Historically this plant has been used medicinally and due to its strong scent, was used as an air freshener, insect repellent, and moth repellent for wool clothing. Leaves retain their fragrance even after cutting and drying, making it suitable for use in potpourris and sachets to freshen air or clothing. This plant is very drought tolerant and requires a sunny location with well-drained soil. It is suitable for xeriscape gardening, dry rocky slopes, borders, paths or other dry areas where other plants are difficult to grow. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Plants are susceptible to rot in moist, poorly drained soils but otherwise are generally disease free. More information on Artemisia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Very Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblanceolate; Ovate; Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Fragrant; Good Dried
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are small and feathery, green or gray-green, alternate, and finely divided into linear or filiform lobes with a smooth or sparsely hairy surface.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; White
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers are small, inconspicuous, drooping, and greenish-yellow or whitish-yellow.
Bloom time
Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Baltic States, France, Italy, Spain, Yugoslavia
Distribution
Canada, Europe, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, United States, Turkey, Ukraine, West Siberia, Yemen
Play value
Defines Paths; Fragrance
Food & Medicine
Uses (ethnobotany)
Historically used medicinally and herbal teas. Used dried plants to repel insects and clothing moths. Extracted dye was used for dying wool clothing.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Naturalized Area
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden