Artemisia — 15 species

Artemisia is a large genus of aromatic shrubs and herbs — spanning culinary French tarragon and silvery-leaved ornamentals like wormwood — that excel in hot, dry conditions. Most species demand full sun (at least six hours of direct light daily) and extremely well-draining soil; they are highly drought-tolerant once established and will rot if overwatered. Toxicity varies considerably across the genus: French tarragon (A. dracunculus) and wormwood (A. absinthium) are toxic to cats and dogs, while other species are considered safe. Always check each species before bringing one into a pet household.