San Diego sagewort
Artemisia palmeri
Last reviewed: October 2026
San Diego sagewort (Artemisia palmeri) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in August, September, and October. The flowers draw flies and small bees.
Toxicity unknown
San Diego sagewort (Artemisia palmeri) 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
part sun
Water
medium
Size
36"–96" H × 36"–60" W
Bloom
Aug, Sep, Oct
Native to
CA
Pollinators
flies, small bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
An aromatic, soft-leaved shrub with deeply lobed gray-green foliage, forming loose thickets along streambanks and canyon bottoms. Its small greenish flowers are inconspicuous.
Growing San Diego sagewort
Grow San Diego sagewort in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 96 inches tall and spread 36 to 60 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Provides cover and nesting habitat for birds; the fragrant foliage offers minor pollen value and some deterrent to browsing wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does San Diego sagewort need?
- San Diego sagewort grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does San Diego sagewort bloom?
- San Diego sagewort blooms in August, September, and October.
- Where is San Diego sagewort native?
- San Diego sagewort (Artemisia palmeri) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does San Diego sagewort attract?
- San Diego sagewort draws flies and small bees.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow San Diego sagewort? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.