The branches of Artemisia annua are filled with thousands of tiny yellow blooms that appear in the summer. The flowers are popular choices for flower bouquets or dried flower crafts. In addition, this plant has been used for thousands of years in herbal medicine. The Sweet Annie plant readily self-seeds, making this beautiful smelling plant reappear year after year. Although it is an annual variety, these plants readily reseed themselves. As a result, aggressive spreading may be an issue for some gardeners. Harvesting the flowers and seed pods before they release the seeds will help prevent unwanted spread. To harvest the flowers, simply cut the flowering branch just as the first yellow blossoms are opening. Add these to bouquets or tie them up and hang them upside down in a well-ventilated, dark place for drying. It’s worth noting that Sweet Annie is deer-resistant and its sweet-smelling foliage keeps pests at bay. As a result, these plants do not usually have problems with pests or diseases.
Light
Sweet Annie plants grow best in full sun. They can tolerate partial sun, but these conditions may not yield the best results; flowering may be reduced, which is the largest claim to fame for this annual.
Soil
Sweet Annie is a tough plant and can tolerate many soil conditions. In fact, these plants thrive in poor soil that is low in nutrients, as long as the soil is well-draining. It does well in soils with alkaline and neutral pH levels. This plant can suffer from root rot if soil conditions are too moist.
Water
In keeping with its low-maintenance nature, Sweet Annie has average watering needs and does not need frequent watering. Beware of overwatering and allow the topsoil to dry out between watering sessions.
Temperature and Humidity
These plants prefer moderate temperatures and humidity levels, but aren’t overly selective. Because it is such a hardy plant, Sweet Annie can be grown from in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9.
Fertilizer
Sweet Annie thrives in poor soil where other plants may not grow. Because of this, fertilizer is not often needed. However, applying well-balanced fertilizer once a year in the spring is an option if you want to encourage healthy growth.
How to Grow Sweet Annie Plants from Seed
Sow Sweet Annie seeds directly in the garden after the threat of frost is gone. Because these plants grow so large, it is not recommended to scatter seeds. Plant each seed a few inches apart and cover very lightly with soil. As seedlings emerge, thin them to around 3 or 4 feet apart to allow ample room for growth. Once they are a few inches tall, you can allow the soil to dry before watering again. If you would like to start seeds indoors, plant them in well-draining soil 5 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Lightly cover the seeds with well-draining soil and mist the seeds, keeping the soil moist. Once two sets of true leaves appear, you can move the seedlings to larger containers and begin hardening them off. Plant the seedlings outdoors when the threat of frost is gone.
Potting and Repotting Sweet Annie Plants
Sweet Annie can be grown in containers, which is an easy way to control its natural spread. Start seeds in small starter pots, then replant the seedling to a larger pot when it is at least 2 inches tall. Harden off the seedling and place in a sunny location. When the plant is large enough, transfer to a pot wide and deep enough to support the plant’s large mature size. Be sure the pot has good drainage to avoid root rot.
