How much sun does Biennial Wormwood need?

Biennial Wormwood grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Biennial Wormwood bloom?

Biennial Wormwood blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is Biennial Wormwood native?

Biennial Wormwood (Artemisia biennis) is native to AZ, CA, ID, KS and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Biennial Wormwood attract?

Biennial Wormwood draws bees and beetles.

Is Biennial Wormwood HOA-friendly?

Biennial Wormwood takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Biennial Wormwood

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Artemisia biennis

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Biennial Wormwood (Artemisia biennis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–48" H × 6"–24" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AZ, CA, ID, KS and 7 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Biennial wormwood is a tall, upright native forb with silvery-green foliage and small greenish flower clusters. This drought-tolerant plant completes its lifecycle in two years, forming a rosette the first year and flowering the second before setting seed.

In an HOA neighborhood

Biennial Wormwood takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Looks weedy and unkempt to most HOAs
Self-seeds unpredictably
Dies back completely after second year

Wildlife value

The summer blooms provide nectar for bees and beetles. As a native plant, it supports local insect populations and food webs.

Common questions

How much sun does Biennial Wormwood need?: Biennial Wormwood grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Biennial Wormwood bloom?: Biennial Wormwood blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Biennial Wormwood native?: Biennial Wormwood (Artemisia biennis) is native to AZ, CA, ID, KS and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Biennial Wormwood attract?: Biennial Wormwood draws bees and beetles.
Is Biennial Wormwood HOA-friendly?: Biennial Wormwood takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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