We provide here pollen forecasts and recommendations, that are based on our scientifically evaluated data and our expertise. It is our aim to inform persons concerned by pollen allergies in Vienna in a most comprehensive, accurate way and free of charge.
Video Highlight: Start of the autumn flower of Artemisia 2026
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Annual mugwort (Artemisia annua) and Chinese mugwort (Artemisia verlotiorum) cause only since recently a second phase in pollination in some years.
The native common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) flowers much earlier, namely in summer from July to August.
Pollen of annual mugwort is a recognized as important aeroallergen in China. Officially described allergens are known for this species (Art an 1-4, Art an 7 und 14). In contrast, officially described allergens are not yet known for Chinese wormwood. A comparable high allergenicity like for common mugwort is assumed for both neophytes.
Current pollination
LEGEND
Due to current cause:
The weed pollen season expires: the flower of ragweed (Ambrosia) fades; the second flowering phase of Artemisia (mugwort/wormwood) due to neophytes has begun.
We provide this convenient overview graph to visualize pollination during the calendar year besides our pollen calendars.
You find more about this seasonal overview here.
Copyright: MedUni Vienna, www.pollenservice.wien
Figure: status quo of the second, up-to-now unobstrusive, flowering phase of Artemisia; the flowers of annual mugwort begin to open (left), the flowers of Chinese wormwood are closed (right).
Mid- and long-term forecast for Vienna
This forecast gives you an overview for a longer time period so that you can improve your planning.
The ragweed (Ambrosia) pollen season fades; autumn flower of mugwort takes some time!
The end of the ragweed pollen season is approaching. This week nearly no or low pollen concentrations were measured. The situation will change with calendar week 40: wind from the Southeast will dominate and will allow long distance transport of ragweed pollen. High pollination is not expected anymore. The plants fade to flower.
Mugwort pollen is an issue again due to the autumn flower of the neophytic species.
Good news: Mugwort pollen was only sporadic in the air up to now. The plants have not progressed far enough for their main flower. The flowers of annual mugwort begin to open, the flowers of Chinese wormwood are still closed (see Figure). A progress in development is expected with the mild weather.
Background: the autumn flower of mugwort occurred for the first time in 2023. It is caused by the neophytes annual mugwort and Chinese wormwood (see Figure). They profit from a mild autumn.
Fungal spores can rise to high levels again with mild weather. Spore concentrations are dominated by Cladosporium and Alternaria spores in the air. However, due to the prolonged dry weather, the fungal spore season was below average this year up to now.
Pollination profile
Ragweed:
state of the flower: end of the main pollination period/low pollination
trend: increasing
time of the start of the flower: later than average
Fungal spores:
state of the season: end of the main period/spore concentrations
trend: increasing
time of the start of the season: average
Mugwort/wormwood:
state of the flower: begin of the second pollination period/low pollination
trend: increasing
time of the start of the flower: average
You can find the typical pollen seasons in our pollen calendar.
Pollen spectrum:
Pollen from cedar, ivy, mercury, the goosefoot family and the nettle family is also in the air.
Updated on: 24th of September 2026
Current main allergen: Fungal spores
Exposure time in Vienna: May to October
Occurrence in Vienna: The molds in focus here thrive on vegetation. This ranges from potting soil to grain fields. Note: The concentration of fungal spores outdoor has nothing to do with the occurrence of molds indoors.
Who are “the fungal spores“?
The spores of the molds Alternaria and Cladosporium are of allergological importance, especially the former. The here discussed fungal spores are the most important ones for ambient air. There is a high diversity of molds, that are present indoors and can spread on food. Molds may cause allergies, but also toxic reactions escalating to mycosis (invasion of the inner organs).
Alternaria belongs to the blackness-fungi. It grows primarily on vegetation and causes plant diseases that can result in crop failures (fruit, cereals). Persons concerned should not mow the lawn, since it is often located on dry plants. However, Alternaria is also found in the living area.
Cladosporium belongs as well to the blackness-fungi. It prefers forests, gardens, and swamps. It is the most common fungal spore in ambient air.
Cross-reactivity: In general, there is cross-reactivity to spores of other molds (e.g. Aspergillus, Epicoccum).
Current main allergen: Ragweed
Pollination time in Vienna: August to October
Occurrence in Vienna: Ragweed prefers disturbed land and occurs mainly on construction sites, along railway embarkments, motorways, roadsides, on farmland and fields (maize, sunflower) on the outskirts of Vienna.
Who is “the ragweed“?
Ragweed, common hogweed, annual ragweed, low ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia): This is the most common ragweed species in Vienna. It was introduced as a neophyte and is meanwhile well established especially in the East and South of Austria. This species is annual and may grow up to 1,8m. It can occur also around bird houses and gardens due to contaminated bird food.
Perennial ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya): This species produces less seed because it spreads mainly through their roots.
Giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida): It possesses three-feathered leaves in contrast to other species of ragweed (feathered leaves) and may grow until 4m height.
Cross-reactivity to pollen of other plants: to other genera within the same family of composite plants (Asteraceae), among others mugwort
- The Pollenservice Vienna is part of the University Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Medical University of Vienna.
- The collaboration with GeoSphere Austria involves comparing forecasts and exchanging pollen and weather data.
- The Pollenservice Vienna is official partner of the Gesundheitsdienst (MA15) of the City of Vienna.