How to Grow and Care for Southernwood

Artemisia abrotanum

With fine, feathery foliage of gray, green, and silver, plus a tantalizing scent, southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) is a species in the Artemisia genus.

It’s an ornamental herb that also goes by the common names of appleringie, lad’s love, and southern wormwood.

A perennial semi-shrub, it has a soft, pretty profile, with multiple upright stems adorned with aromatic, fern-like foliage that releases refreshing notes of camphor, lemon, pine, and tangerine when touched or brushed against. 

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Flowering is mostly insignificant and unreliable, although loose panicles of nodding, small yellow blooms may appear in late summer and early fall.

A handsome choice for beds, borders, containers, and herb, moon, rock, or xeric gardens, the dried leaves retain their fragrance well and add a zesty scent to potpourri mixes or bundled into sachets to repel moths.

So if your garden needs a touch of soft, perfumed elegance in an easy-care package, let’s unearth the steps of how to grow and care for southernwood!

Here’s what you’ll find ahead:

Grown primarily as an ornamental, the multiple stems of lacy foliage have a refreshing citrus and camphor fragrance – which also protects them from foragers like deer and rabbits.

Highly aromatic, commercial growers distill the essential oil for use in perfumery.

In the home garden, it’s delightful when grown in borders or along walkways and paths, as a low hedge, or in containers – anywhere you can reach out to touch the velvety, citrus-scented leaves!

Traditional applications include using extracts for a yellow dye, dried as a moth repellent, and for a variety of health ailments.

And when dried and pressed, the stems are an elegant addition to dried flower or oshibana artworks.

But it should be noted that all plant parts contain toxins that can be harmful if ingested in large amounts.

How to Grow

Easy to grow, southernwood enjoys the same conditions as several of the so-called Mediterranean herbs. Let’s have a closer look.

Climate

With its southern Europe/Mediterranean heritage, hot temperatures with low humidity are the preferred climate.

Avoid planting in very windy locations which can desiccate the delicate foliage.

During the growing season, southernwood thrives in a temperature range of 55 to 95°F, but struggles in conditions where high heat is combined with high humidity.

Light

Southernwood needs full sun for at least six hours per day but can also grow in dappled or light shade, although the plants can end up leggy if the shade is too deep.

In areas with hot summers, light afternoon shade can be beneficial for protecting the fine leaves.

Soil

Plants do best in chalky, loamy, or sandy soils and can even grow in clay, but it is essential that the growing medium is well-draining.

Southernwood thrives in a range of soils from slightly acidic to neutral and slightly alkaline, or 6.3 to 7.6 pH.

For best results, enrich the soil at planting time by mixing in one or two parts of organic materials such as compost, well-rotted manure, or worm castings.

I also suggest sharpening the drainage by mixing in one or two parts of gritty materials such as landscape sand, crushed shells, stone chips, or pea gravel.

Water

Mature specimens enjoy dryish conditions and have good drought tolerance, but new plantings require regular water applications until they’re established.

Container plants typically need more frequent water applications.

Fertilizing

Moderate feeders when planted in nutrient rich soil, southernwood requires only a little additional fertilizer during the growing months.

In spring after new growth emerges, apply a slow release fertilizer using a balanced formula like 5-5-5 NPK or one slightly higher in nitrogen like those used for leafy greens, such as 5-3-3 NPK.

I use Burpee Leafy Green and Herb Plant Food, which you can find available at Burpee.

Burpee Leafy Green and Herb Plant Food

Sprinkle granules evenly around the base of the plant and scratch lightly into the surface of the soil.

A second application can be made in early summer if desired.

Where to Buy

Southernwood can be a little challenging to source but is often found in garden centers that have a good selection of perennial herbs.

Maintenance

After new growth emerges in spring, cut back all shoots close to the base to promote bushy, well-branched plants. Cut back by two-thirds or prune to two to six inches above the soil.

Trim any time during the growing season to tidy up dead, damaged, or unruly stems.

Divide clumps every three or four years to avoid dieback in the center of the clump.

Propagation

Since blooming is unreliable, saving seeds for propagation isn’t a very effective method.

Root division and stem cuttings are the most reliable ways to create new plants.

Root Divisions

Division is an excellent way to start new plants and mature specimens can be divided every three or four years.

Here’s how:

1. Divide plants in early spring just as new growth emerges.
2. Use a spade to dig around the drip line, and ease out the rootball.
3. Using a sharp spade, hori hori, or other garden knife, divide the roots into quarters, thirds, or halves, ensuring each division has a clump of healthy roots and stems with foliage.
4. Prepare planting holes with enriched, well-draining soil and mix in one or two tablespoons of bone meal for strong, healthy roots.
5. Place divisions with the crown just below the soil surface then backfill and firm in place.
6. Water gently but deeply to settle divisions and water regularly until the roots are well-established.

If winters are cold, provide new divisions with a layer of protective mulch.

Stem Cuttings

If your plants aren’t mature enough for division, stem cuttings are an easy way to propagate quickly.

The time to do this is in mid- to late summer.

1. Choose ripe or semi-ripe stems and cut six inches of stem just below a leaf node.
2. Remove leaves from the bottom half of the stem and dip the stripped end into rooting hormone powder if desired.
3. Insert cuttings into small pots or trays and firm the soil gently around the stems. Ensure each stem has at least two nodes beneath the soil.
4. Place in a location with bright, indirect light or dappled sunlight and keep the soil lightly moist until roots and new growth develops in about six weeks.

Plant out into the garden or containers at least four weeks before the first expected frost date.

Pests and Disease

Generally robust and healthy, southernwood can suffer damage from common sapsucking pests such as aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.

Manually remove pests with a strong spray of water from the garden hose or use a natural pesticide such as neem oil in the case of severe infestation.

Fungal problems like powdery mildew and root rot can also appear.

For powdery mildew, ensure plants have good air circulation and remember that A. abrotanum struggles in high humidity.

If you encounter powdery mildew, a dusting or spray of garden sulfur can help curtail the spread.

Bonide Sulfur Fungicide

You can find Bonide Sulfur Plant Fungicide available at Arbico Organics.

Root rot is primarily a fungal problem that tends to appear in wet, poorly draining soil – ensure you plant in well-draining soil.

Fine Form and Fragrant Foliage

Southernwood’s irresistibly fresh scent and delicate, lacy form is ideal for adding soft texture to the garden, and for many uses in the home as well.

Easily cultivated in a sunny spot, these low-maintenance lovelies need only a sprinkle of fertilizer in spring and occasional watering after they’re established.

Cut back hard in spring for lush, dense plants, and be sure to plant some in a location for brushing against – then enjoy an energizing burst of zesty perfume each time you walk by!

Do you have a favorite spot for growing scented southernwood? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

And for more ideas about growing foliage plants in your landscape, add these guides to your reading list next:

• 35 Fascinating Fern Varieties for Your Home and Landscape
• How to Grow Piggyback Plants (Youth-on-Age)
• How to Grow and Care for Colorful Caladiums