Artemisia Absinthium, Wormwood - 0.5 kg Seeds

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), known as afsanteen or vilayati afsanthin, is an aromatic perennial herb or small shrub rather than a tree, growing 0.5-1.2 m tall with deeply divided, silvery-grey, silky leaves and small nodding yellow flower heads. The whole plant is intensely bitter and strongly aromatic. Native to temperate Europe and Asia, it is grown in India in the cooler hill regions of the Himalayas, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and the Nilgiris.

It is best known as a medicinal and aromatic herb, used traditionally as a digestive bitter, vermifuge (to expel intestinal worms) and tonic, and as the classic flavouring of absinthe and vermouth. The silvery aromatic foliage repels insects and is used in herbal sachets and as a natural pest deterrent, and the plant is also grown as an ornamental for its fine grey texture.

• Family: Asteraceae
• Native region: Temperate Europe and Asia
• Mature height: 0.5-1.2 m
• Growth rate: Moderate

Sowing the seed: the seed is very fine and needs light to germinate, so surface-sow it without covering, pressing it gently onto a moist, well-drained seed mix. No pre-treatment is needed; keep the tray cool, lightly shaded and evenly moist, and germination follows in about 14-21 days. Prick out and pot on the tiny seedlings once they are large enough to handle, then transplant to the garden in the cool season.