How to Plant and Care for Achillea millefolium, Common Yarrow

Achillea millefolium, common yarrow

Common yarrow is one of the most useful garden herbs around. In the Americas, native peoples like the Iroquois, Micmac, Mohegan and Cherokee used achillea millefolium, common yarrow, in medicinal preparations. The Chinese art of divination, the I Ching, was traditionally cast using yarrow stems. This useful herb is named for Achilles (Achillea), the almost invulnerable hero of Greek legend. Before the widespread use of hops, yarrow was used as an ingredient in beer making, and was also one of the foundational ingredients in spells designed to ward off evil spirits. That's a lot of traction for one plant.

Common yarrow is a easy to grow, hardy, drought resistant and dries well. You have probably seen it in mixed fresh flower arrangements as well as in dried wreaths. Although the most common cultivar colors for this plant are white yarrow and yellow yarrow, varieties are available in pink, peach, rust, red and some pastel variations.

It is an unexpected but pretty focal point in the garden and dried in a bowl of potpourri. It also has a number of medicinal, culinary and crafting uses. If you're looking for a versatile herb to add to your garden collection, consider common yarrow. This is a low maintenance option that makes a nice addition to the landscape, too.

Deep red yarrow

How to Grow Comon Yarrow

Yarrow is a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9 that can reach a height of around 60 inches, although some cultivars are much smaller. It flowers in mid-summer and will keep flowering until well into fall. It's a good candidate for any sunny but neglected spot in your garden that's plagued with poor soil and dryer conditions than your pampered flowerbeds. Yarrow spreads quickly, too. This makes it a good fill-in plant where you would usually see weeds sprouting by the end of June. The flip side of this observation is yarrow's potential for being invasive if it loves the dry, sunny accommodations in your garden.

To give yarrow a good start, loosen the soil to a depth of around 10 inches (yes, that deep), and plant seedlings 18 inches apart or so. Although it tolerates neglect, yarrow does requires soil that drains well, so include perlite or sand if you have heavy clay soil.

Start yarrow from seed after the last projected frost date for your area. You can usually get this information from your local nursery, or contact the USDA Cooperative Extension Office for your area. As yarrow seeds require sunlight to germinate, press them onto. If you're concerned they might blow away, dust them very lightly with soil.

Fertilize plants in spring, and add a layer of mulch to new plantings if you experience long dry periods during the summer months. After the first killing frost in fall, prune plants by removing most of the top growth, leaving an inch or two of stubble. (Plants will become crowded by the third year and should be thinned.)

Newer yarrow cultivars are shorter and more compact than the more common varieties. Be sure to check the informational material on the plant variety you have in mind. If you are interested in keeping it in a pot, some of the newer cultivars are definitely worth looking at.  

Growing Yarrow -  Cheat Sheet

Botanical name: Achillea Millefolium 
Life cycle: Perennial
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

Propagation methods:

Seed: Yarrow seeds are tiny and require careful handling to keep them on or near the soil's surface.

Cuttings: Take cuttings in spring or early summer.

Division: Mature plants should be be divided every few years to prevent overcrowding.

Sowing recommendations:

Start yarrow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. 

Direct sow after the last frost. Important: Yarrow seeds need light to germinate.

Cold stratification: While not absolutely necessary, cold stratification will improve your germination rates. It's a simple process. Store seeds in the refrigerator for a few weeks before sowing. That's it!

Days to germination: 10 to 21 days. Be patient.

Yarrow seeds ready to harvest and store

Soil requirements:

Well-draining: This is important. Yarrow will not tolerate soggy soil.

Soil amendments: Yarrow is not very picky, but it does appreciate fertile soil.

pH: Prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (6.0 to 7.0).

Moisture and humidity needs:

Drought tolerant: Once established, yarrow can handle dry spells.

Avoid overwatering: This will inevitably lead to root rot. I speak from experience.

Humidity: Not a major concern. Yarrow does well in average humidity levels.

Light requirements:

Full sun: This is ideal for robust flowering. Partial shade will result in fewer blooms and less resilient plants.

Spacing:

Plant common yarrow seedlings at least 18 inches apart. This may seem like a lot, but it provides enough room for good air circulation, which is important, and prevents overcrowding.

Days to maturity:

From seed: 60 to 90 days. 

Established plants will bloom from early summer to fall.

Height at maturity: 

Varies by cultivar, 8 inches to 5 feet 

For the continued health, divide yarrow clumps once every 3 to 5 years.

Growing yarrow in a garden pot

Growing Yarrow in a Container Indoors or Outdoors

Choose a large pot (8 inches or more). Yarrow has long, thick roots.

Use a well-draining potting mix to prevent root rot, and consider amending the prepared mix with perlite or sand.

Provide bright light: Place near a window or outdoor location that receives 6 to 8 hours of bright indirect light a day.

Watering. Let the pot dry out somewhat between waterings.

Pests and diseases:

Powdery mildew: Can be a problem in humid conditions or where there is poor air circulation. Provide adequate spacing and avoiding overhead watering.

Rust: Remove affected leaves with yellow spots and improve air circulation.

Aphids: Companion plant with marigolds, dill, catnip and/or oregano. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Deer resistant: On a positive note, deer typically avoid common yarrow.

Seeds storage and longevity:

2-3 years: Store achillea millefolium yarrow seeds in a cool, dark, dry place. Cold stratification is especially beneficial for older seeds.

Companion Planting Pairings

Plant yarrow near vegetables to attract pollinators and predatory insects that help control pests. 

Yarrow is a beneficial companion plant when combined with lavender, echinacea, salvia, marigolds, dill, catnip and oregano.

For more information about companion planting, check out my article, Companion Planting for Pest Control.

Names for Common Yarro

• Staunch Grass
• Soldiers' Woundwort
• Nosebleed Plant
• Milfoil
• Old Man's Pepper
• Old Man’s Mustard
• Gordaldo
• Plumajillo (little feather), 
• Thousand leaf
• Devil’s Plaything
• Devil’s Nettle
• Sanguinary

Tips For Using Yarrow Flowers in Bouquetsy

Yarrow makes a nice addition to a fresh flower bouquet during the summer months. From a distance, white varieties look a bit like baby's breath, especially when coupled with roses. White and pink varieties are both lovely in mixed bouquets with sage, lavender and calendula, and yellow yarrow adds a gentle touch to a sunflower bouquet.

Drying Yarrow Flowers and Leaves

It is easy to dry yarrow in batches from late spring to early fall. It is an  "everlasting" flower variety, like straw flower or statice, that looks attractive when dried and can retain its color and shape indefinitely. 

Here's how to dry flowering yarrow. Remove the bottom from a brown paper bag and place flower stems (loosely) inside. Put the bag outdoors during two or three warm afternoons. The bag will keep the flowers shaded, while the open ends will encourage airflow and drying. You can also:

• Hang bunches upside down in a dark, warm shed (try using a rubber band to snug up the stems)
• Dry yarrow in a warm (not hot) oven
• Dry leaves, flowers and stems in a dehydrator

 For more detailed information on how to dry yarrow and other herbs, please take a look at my article, The Easiest Way to Dry Herbs

Dried Yarrow

Including Yarrow in Crafts

I like to use yarrow in wreaths. This is typically a mid to late fall project that uses fresh flowering yarrow stems simply tied and dried (with other herbs) right on the wire backing or form. You can take a look at my wreath making tutorial for more information.  

Dried yarrow also looks pretty added to a simple vase. The flowers retain their color indefinitely.

Individual flower clusters look very nice in potpourri, too -- they're sturdy and dense enough to retain any added essential oil for quite a long time.

Tincture of yarrow also makes an effective mosquito spray.

Dried yarrow flowers

Medicinal Uses for Common Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)

Yarrow is a natural anti-inflammatory and may have some ability to help control blood pressure. It also contains salicylic acid, a drug closely related to modern day aspirin. Historically, its leaves have been used successfully in first-aid (topically) to help staunch bleeding (hemostatic). White yarrow is most often recommended for medicinal use.

Over the years, yarrow has been known by many common names, including: carpenter's weed, wound wort and bloodwort to name a few. For more, check the list below.

*Achillea millefolium, common yarrow, is used to treat a number of minor medical conditions today. Its effectiveness in these treatments is still being evaluated by the medical community:

• Cramps (sitz bath)
• Diarrhea
• Flatulence (with other herbs)
• Gastrointestinal discomfort
• Hay fever
• Hemorrhoids (topically)
• High fever
• To induce sweating
• Toothache (by chewing the leaves)

In cosmetics and personal care, yarrow is sometimes used in cleansers and shampoos, too.

In herbal remedies (to treat stomach upset, cold or inflammation), common yarrow is sometimes combined with herbs like:

• Peppermint
• Ginger
• Sage
• Echinacea
• Lemon balm
• Elder flower
• Mullein

Although it is generally considered safe, yarrow should not be ingested by women who are pregnant or nursing, or by people with kidney or liver problems. 

It is also contraindicated for individuals who are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family or who are taking lithium. This herb may interact adversely with medications that affect blood clotting, or increase or decrease stomach acid. 

Ingesting yarrow plant can cause increased sensitivity to light. This herb also contains small amounts of the compound thujone, which can be toxic in large doses. Check with your doctor or other medical caregiver before making changes to your current course of medical treatment. For more information about side effects and interactions associated with common yarrow, visit WebMd (see link below).

Popular Yarrow Varieties

• 'Moonshine': Bright yellow flowers
• 'Little Moonshine': Dwarf version of Moonshine
• Greek Yarrow (Achillea ageratifolia): Ground cover
• 'Cerise Queen': Vivid pink flowers
• 'Apple Blossom': Blush pink flowers
• 'Red Velvet: Deep red that fades to pink
• 'Paprika': Bright red flowers to rusty orange flowers
• 'Summer Pastels': A mix of white, light pink and yellow flowers
• Dwarf or Wooly Yarrow (Achillea tomentosa aurea)

Yarrow plant, (white) as a houseplant

With its, medicinal, floral, culinary and crafting potential, yarrow has a lot to recommend it. Trade for some seeds and give it a try! For a list of other popular flowering herbs Check out, 24 Best Flowering Herbs.

Reference

Flora of North America. " Achillea millefolium." http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200023010

Medicinal Plant Image Database - School of Chinese  Medicine. "Achillea millefolium L."  http://libproject.hkbu.edu.hk/was40/detail?lang=en&channelid=1288&searchword=herb_id=D00672

Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. "Yarrow." http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/plantdisp.xsql?taxon=18

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. "Growing Yarrow." (7/29/09). http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/growingyarrow.html

University of Maryland Medical Center. "Yarrow." http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/yarrow-000282.htm

WebMd. "Yarrow." http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-151-YARROW.aspx?activeIngredientId=151&activeIngredientName=YARROW>


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