Wormwood is a perennial aromatic herb, grown for its fragrant foliage, ready to harvest about 120 days after planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 4 through 9, stands up to deer, handles dry spells once it's established, and grows just as well in a container as in the ground.
Zones
4-9
pH Range
4.8-8.2
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
120
Score Wormwood on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether wormwood actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score wormwood against your land's real conditions.
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
No card required · your full report in seconds
What Wormwood is
Wormwood grows as a perennial and reaches around 3.3 feet at maturity. It blooms yellow in summer. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Wormwood
Wormwood grows in USDA zones 4 through 9 and is ready to harvest about 120 days after planting. Wormwood does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.8 to 8.2, on well-drained ground. It needs around 800 growing degree days to mature and a growing season of at least 90 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
4-9
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.8 - 8.2
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
120 days
plant_species_v5.csv
GDD Required
800+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
3.3 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
90+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant wormwood in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Wormwood prefers pH 4.8 to 8.2 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at maturity
Wormwood is ready about 120 days after planting (University Extension production guides). Snip sprigs as you need them — regular cutting keeps the foliage tender and slows it bolting to flower.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — wormwood is toxic to dogs and cats (moderate severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Wormwood isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data — pair it with high-value bloomers nearby to feed bees.
Where Wormwood thrives
Wormwood is hardy across USDA zones 4 through 9. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 4–9·Where Wormwood growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Wormwood can grow in these states:
See if Wormwood will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether wormwood actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
25+ data sources analyzed in seconds
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Wormwood in my zone?
Wormwood grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
How long does Wormwood take to grow?
Wormwood is ready to harvest about 120 days after planting (University Extension production guides). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Wormwood?
Most growers plant wormwood after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 90-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Wormwood need?
Wormwood needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Wormwood need?
Wormwood prefers soil pH 4.8 to 8.2, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Wormwood attract pollinators?
Wormwood isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data. Pairing it with high-value bloomers nearby keeps bees and butterflies fed.
Is Wormwood safe for pets?
Wormwood is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with moderate severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.