In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about wormwood and mugwort so that you can fully understand them as individuals. We will address what they look like as well as what they are typically used for. Finally, we’ll even give you some tips as to how these plants grow best in case you want to plant them in your own garden. Let’s get started!
Comparing Mugwort vs Wormwood
Key Differences Between Mugwort vs Wormwood
There are a number of key differences between mugwort and wormwood. For example, mugwort typically grows larger than the average wormwood plant. Mugwort has uniquely pointed leaves, while wormwood has rounded leaves. The average wormwood plant produces yellow flowers, while mugwort plants may have flowers in white, yellow, or red. Finally, mugwort is used in a limited culinary capacity, while wormwood is key for absinthe production. Let’s go over all of these differences in more detail now.
Mugwort vs Wormwood: Classification
Both belonging to the same plant family and genus, there are some undeniable differences between mugwort and wormwood. Plus, these plants are often named interchangeably, leading to even more confusion when it comes to how they are classified. However, wormwood and mugwort are two distinct species from one another, with wormwood classified as Artemisia absinthium, and mugwort classified as Artemisia vulgaris.
Mugwort vs Wormwood: Description
It can be very difficult to tell wormwood and mugwort apart, given that they are so closely related. However, there are a few characteristics to pay attention to if you are trying to identify an unknown plant. For example, mugwort reaches up to 6 feet in height as opposed to wormwood, which reaches 5 feet, making mugwort a larger plant overall. Mugwort stems are also typically reddish in hue, while wormwood stems are gray-green. The leaves are where you can truly tell the difference between these two plants. When it comes to identifying mugwort, its leaves are uniquely pointed, while wormwood leaves are rounded and simpler by comparison. In addition, most wormwood leaves are darker on the top than on the bottom, while mugwort leaves remain the same green shade throughout. Finally, wormwood plants typically produce yellow flowers, while mugwort plants produce white, yellow, or red flowers.
Mugwort vs Wormwood: Uses
Mugwort and wormwood have very traditional uses, both medicinally and magically. For example, mugwort has been used to assist in lucid dreaming practices, while wormwood is used medicinally for infections and appetite boosting. Wormwood is also a key component in absinthe production, while mugwort is rarely used in a culinary fashion. Both of these plants are ornamental and look attractive in the average backyard garden, but wormwood doesn’t grow well beside other plants, while mugwort is ideal for attracting pollinators.
Mugwort vs Wormwood: Origin and How to Grow
Given their similarities and relation to one another, mugwort and wormwood originated in the same location. Native to Europe and Asia, both of these plants are prolific worldwide, and they are even considered invasive weeds in some locations. You can grow mugwort and wormwood in nitrogen rich soil, in full sunlight and dry conditions. These plants grow best in wild areas and disturbed locations, with strong roots that lead to their invasive nature.
Mugwort vs Wormwood: Other Names
One of the main reasons that wormwood and mugwort are confused with each other is because they are known by the same names. These two plants are often called the same thing interchangeably, but they are indeed two different plants. For example, mugwort is colloquially known as St. John’s plant, wild wormwood, cronewort, and chrysanthemum weed, while wormwood is known as absinthe, absinthe wormwood, and, you guessed it, mugwort. This no doubt leads to some confusion with these two plants, but hopefully now you have some clues as to how you can best tell them apart.
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