How to Grow Mugwort and Germination Instructions

Harvest your own seeds from wild plants. Cut off the flowering stems in late winter to fall, when they are dry. Place the stems in a paper bag and leave it open in a warm, dry location. Allow the seeds to dry for a week and then shake the bag to get them to release from the flower stems.

Pour the seeds into a plastic bag and seal it tightly. Place the bag in the crisper of the refrigerator. This will block light from the seeds and prevent it from influencing the dormancy. Leave the seeds in the refrigerator for at least 63 days to simulate winter cold.

Spread potting soil in a seed flat. Sprinkle the seeds on the surface of the soil and press them in, to contact the medium. This will mimic the natural deposit of seeds onto soil, and the compression caused by weather and moisture. Water the soil until it is evenly moist. Place the lid on the flat to conserve moisture.

Put the flat on a seed heat mat, where temperatures are at least 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit to stimulate the seeds into germination. Provide lighting that is bright but indirect.

Keep the seeds lightly moist but not soggy. Use a plant mister to provide light moisture. Remove the lid after the plants have sprouted. Mugwort will begin to form rhizomes at four weeks and may be transplanted when the root system is vigorous.