Absinthe Wormwood Seeds

Wormwood seeds need light for germination, so press them onto the surface of the moist seed-starting mix and do not cover them. With temperatures between 59–77 °F, Wormwood plant seeds germinate in 14 to 60 days. You can start Wormwood herb seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow once the soil has warmed in spring. Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin or transplant 36 inches apart.

Wormwood herb requires full sun, at least 6 hours of direct light to grow well and develop the aromatic oils that make it useful. Rich, heavily amended soil is counterproductive, as overfed plants lose their scent and bitterness. Well-drained, average to poor soil gives better results. Sandy, rocky, and clay-loam conditions work as well. Water regularly in the first season, then back off, as mature Artemisia Absinthium plants survive drought and heat.

After the first year, Wormwood becomes low maintenance. Cut it back by about a third in late spring to keep the shape tidy. The herb spreads aggressively, so divide the clumps every 2–3 years and monitor spreading. For harvest, cut stems and foliage in late summer, just before the flowers fully open. Hang harvested leaves in small bundles in a dark ventilated space upside down.