Japanese Mugwort Seeds - Yomogi - Heirloom

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How to Grow Japanese mugwort (Yomogi)

A cold stratification treatment is helpful before planting Yomogi. This can be done pretty easily by placing the seeds on a damp paper towel, sealing it in a ziplock plastic bag, and putting the bag into the refrigerator for about 4 weeks prior to planting. It is not always necessary but may help soften the seed. Once it’s planted, it will germinate more quickly. Yomogi is best sown directly in the garden after the last frost. It should sprout in 14-21 days. Plant seeds about 6 inches apart and thin to 9 inches after germination. Remember, this plant grow prolifically and will spread. So, like mint and some other perennials, keep them isolated to prevent them from taking over your garden. It will grow quickly, up to 5 feet tall, but is best when kept trimmed to 3-4 feet in height. This is an excellent choice for a container plant.

Harvesting Japanese Mugwort (Yomogi)

Harvest by cutting the younger stems from the Yomogi as it grows. This is a perennial, don't harvest the entire plant, you can keep this going for years as a good herb throughout the year. The older stems can be trimmed off in spring to allow for better growth each year. Like other varieties of Mugwort, cuttings can be used to start new growth just as well as seeds.

Culinary Tips

Japanese Mugwort, Yomogi, is used as a bittersweet salad green and can be boiled for use in stir-fries which lessen the bitterness. Its signature dish is Yomogi Mochi, a sweet treat made by mixing dried yomogi with water, draining, and stirring it with Mochi flour and sugar. Then, cook and mix until it is dough. The Yomogi Mochi balls are prepared by cutting sections of the flour and wrapping them around balls of red bean paste.

Stories From Our Gardeners

"The one thing I have found about growing mugwort in my own garden is that it will grow and grow and grow. It’s really important to keep it trimmed back, but worth growing as a great continual source of medicinal herbs. I have to work a bit every spring and autumn and trim it back to keep it separated from the motherwort and yarrow also growing in my herb garden. It’s worth it!."

- David Wiley, True Leaf Market Writer

Seeds Per Package:

• 3 g packet - Approximately 6,015 Seeds
• 1 oz - Approximately 9,300 Seeds
• 4 oz - Approximately 222,800 Seeds
• 1 lb - Approximately 891,200 Seeds