Mugwort Types: Species, Identification & Differences

What Are Mugwort Types?

Mugwort refers to a group of plants in the Artemisia family. There are many different species found across Europe, Asia, and North America, each with unique characteristics, uses, and appearances.

This guide breaks down the most common mugwort types so you can easily identify them and understand how they differ.

Main Mugwort Species

Common Mugwort

Common Mugwort
underneath common mugwort
common mugwort bush

  • Artemisia vulgaris
  • The most widespread mugwort species in the UK and Europe
  • Leaves are dark green on top, silvery underneath
  • Strong herbal smell when crushed
  • Often found in hedgerows, roadsides, and wasteland

👉 Learn more: common mugwort

Sweet Wormwood (Sweet Annie)

Sweet Wormwood bush
Sweet Wormwood flowers
Sweet Wormwood bush

  • Artemisia annua
  • Tall, delicate, and bright green with feathery leaves
  • Grown mainly as an ornamental or herbal plant
  • Native to Asia but grown worldwide

👉 Learn more: sweet wormwood

Wormwood

wormwood mugwort
close up of wormwood mugwort
wormwood mugwort bush

  • Artemisia absinthium
  • Recognised by its silvery-grey foliage
  • Traditionally used in bitters and herbal preparations
  • Has a very strong, bitter aroma

👉 Learn more: /wormwood/

Chinese Mugwort

chinese mugwort
Chinese Mugwort
underneath of chinese mugwort

  • Artemisia argyi
  • Important in Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Used for moxibustion (heat therapy)
  • Typically dried and processed for medicinal use

👉 Learn more: /chinese-mugwort/

🔍 How to Identify Different Mugwort Types

Although all mugworts belong to the same genus, they can look quite different:

Key differences:

  • Leaf colour: green vs silvery-grey
  • Leaf shape: broad (common mugwort) vs feathery (sweet wormwood)
  • Height: short roadside plants vs tall garden herbs
  • Smell: mild to very strong herbal aroma

👉 Full guide: how to identify mugwort

🌍 Where Mugwort Types Grow

Different species are found around the world:

  • 🇬🇧 UK & Europe → mainly Common Mugwort
  • 🇨🇳 China & Asia → Chinese Mugwort & Sweet Wormwood
  • 🌍 Worldwide → Wormwood species in various climates

⚠️ Mugwort Type Confusion (Important)

Many people confuse mugwort species because:

  • They share the same genus (Artemisia)
  • They often grow in similar environments
  • Common names vary by region

👉 Example:

  • “Mugwort” in the UK usually means Artemisia vulgaris
  • In herbal contexts, it may refer to other species entirely

📌 Summary

“Mugwort” is not a single plant, but a group of related species in the Artemisia family. The most common types include:

  • Common Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
  • Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua)
  • Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
  • Chinese Mugwort (Artemisia argyi)

Each has distinct features, uses, and growing conditions.