Sativa - Annual Mugwort – Seeds

• Medical sensation: The plant contains the valuable compound artemisinin, for the discovery and application of which in malaria treatment the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded in 2015.
• Immune system booster: A tea made from the dried leaves is traditionally used to support the body’s natural defences and for general fortification.
• Fragrance: In the garden, annual mugwort acts as a natural air freshener and, with its bright green colour, provides a wonderful backdrop for flowering perennials.

Cultivation & Harvest

Although it has ‘annual’ in its name, its rapid growth makes it a dominant presence:

• Location: Prefers full sun and warm spots with well-drained, nutrient-rich soil.
• Sowing: From April/May outdoors or in trays for pre-cultivation. As the seeds are very fine, cover them only lightly with soil (tendency to germinate in light).
• Harvesting tip: The highest concentration of active ingredients is found in the leaves just before flowering. Therefore, ideally harvest the leaves by the end of August, before the plant forms its inconspicuous flowers.

Key plant data

• Botanical name: Artemisia annua
• Lifespan: Annual (but often self-seeds when mature)
• Sowing depth: 0.1–0.2 cm (shallow to light-dependent germination)
• Spacing within the row: 50 cm
• Spacing between rows: 50 cm
• Height: 150 to 250 cm
• Uses: Tea herb, aromatic plant

Important information

• Allergy information: Please note that the pollen of annual mugwort (as with many Artemisia species) can be problematic for allergy sufferers. If you are sensitive to mugwort pollen, you should harvest or cut the plant before it flowers.
• Dosage: As with all medicinal plants, the tea should be consumed in moderation and not over prolonged periods without consulting a specialist