Artemisia californica
Artemisia californica
Safety & Hazards
Although we have seen no specific reports for this species, many members of this genus contain potentially allergenic sesquiterpene lactones that can cause skin reactions[1].
Cultivation Details
Artemisia californica is a plant of Mediterranean climates, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, moist winters. It grows in areas where the mean annual precipitation is 250 - 450mm, with 90% of that falling in the cooler half of the year[2]. The plant grows best where winter temperatures averave 9 - 12°c and summer temperatures do not exceed 24 - 27°c, though the plant does experience both lower and higher temperatures[2]. Species in this genus are generally easily grown, succeeding in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[3, 4]. They tend to be longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[5]. Established plants are drought tolerant[6, 2]. The plant responds well to regular pruning to keep it compact[6]. Several low-growing cultivars have been developed for ornamental use[6]. The leaves are highly aromatic due to the presence of terpenes[2]. The aroma is markedly like that of the culinary mints known as common sage (Salvia species)[7]. The smaller leaves remain wilted for long periods of time when the plant is under water stress, and rehydrate within hours of rainfall[2], Plants can resprout from the rootcrown after a fire[2] The plants are sensitive to atmospheric pollution[2].
Propagation
Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse, making sure that the compost does not dry out[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn[4]. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the young shoots when about 10 - 15cm long, pot up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse or cold frame and plant them out when well rooted. Very easy. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Artemisia+californica>
Pollinators
Wind
References
- [1]BoDD (Botanical Dermatology Database) — http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/ ↩︎Brief notes on a very wide range of plants that have reports of causing harm to the skin.
- [2]Fire Effects Information System — http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ ↩︎An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants
- [3]RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 — F. Chittendon. · Oxford University Press · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]).
- [4]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [5]Scented Flora of the World. — Genders. R. · Robert Hale. London. · 1994 · ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
- [6]Wildland Shrubs of the United States and its Territories: Thamnic Descriptions — Francis J.K. (Editor) · USDA; Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestr · 2000 · http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/wildland_shrubs.htm ↩︎An excellent series of papers, in PDF format, from various authors giving quite detailed information on a range of shrubs growing in the United States and its Territories. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
- [7]Flora of N. America — http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ ↩︎An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.