Troubleshooting
Wormwood problems — and how to fix them
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Spreads by rhizome
Plant in a controlled spot; lift suckers each year.
Floppy stems
Cut back hard in spring for compact growth.
Inhibits nearby plants
Allelopathic — keep 30 cm clear around the base.
Brown lower leaves
Normal old growth; tidy in spring.
Crown rot in wet winters
Plant in sharp drainage.
Prevent wormwood problems before they start
Most wormwood issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Wormwood problems — FAQ
Why is my wormwood spreads by rhizome?
Plant in a controlled spot; lift suckers each year.
Why is my wormwood floppy stems?
Cut back hard in spring for compact growth.
Why is my wormwood inhibits nearby plants?
Allelopathic — keep 30 cm clear around the base.
Why is my wormwood brown lower leaves?
Normal old growth; tidy in spring.
Why is my wormwood crown rot in wet winters?
Plant in sharp drainage.