Mugwort in Zone 3a & 3b
Artemisia vulgaris
Yes, mugwort grows in zones 3a and 3b and comes back each year. Plant it outside May 30–Jun 6.
When to plant mugwort in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 30–Jun 6 |
| Estimated harvest | First real harvest the season after planting |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-4 ft.
Before you plant: Mugwort has a winter-hardiness note for zone 3b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of mugwort in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilJun 13–Jun 20
- BorageMay 30–Jun 6
- DillMay 23–May 30
- AniseMay 30–Jun 6
- CatnipMay 30–Jun 6
- Chamomile (German)May 30–Jun 6
Mugwort has a long history in cooking and herbal medicine, and it is one of the more difficult plants to have in a garden.
How mugwort fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Mugwort takes about 1 growing season to reach first worthwhile harvest, so what matters here is how many of these seasons it gets, not whether one is long enough.
Mugwort is hardy in zones 3-8, so in zone 3b it stays in the ground through winter and comes back rather than being replanted. Allow about 4 ft of spread at maturity.
Mugwort planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b (your zone) | Not usually | May 30–Jun 6 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 15–May 22 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | May 10–May 17 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 25–May 2 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 10–Apr 17 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 25–Apr 1 | First real harvest the season after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for mugwort.
Where to buy mugwort seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's mugwort seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing mugwort" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Mugwort in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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