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Planting and Growing Yarrow

Yarrow plant, growing yarrow flowers

Yarrow can come in a bright yellow variety, but it can also be red or pink.

Image Credit:
Alexander Boeckmann
Botanical Name
Achillea spp.
Grown as
Perennial
USDA Zones
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
9a
9b
Toxicity
Toxic to Dogs and Cats
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Water Needs
Low
Height
1–3 feet
Spread
1–3 feet
Soil pH
Neutral
Bloom Time
Summer
Flower Color
Pink
Red
White
Yellow
Special Features
Container-Friendly
Cut Flower
Disease-Resistant
Erosion Control
Long Blooming
Low Maintenance
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Pollinators
Deer-resistant
Rabbit-resistant
Resilience
Clay Soil Tolerant
Cold Hardy
Drought-Tolerant
Heat-Tolerant
Salt Tolerant
Plant Type
Flowers
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a tough, native North American perennial beloved by pollinators and gardeners alike. With its flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers and ferny, aromatic foliage, yarrow thrives in borders, cottage gardens, pollinator patches, and open meadows. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it’s an excellent choice for sustainable landscapes. Here’s how to grow yarrow successfully in your garden.

Because yarrow is native across much of North America, it’s a valuable plant for sustainable gardens: it supports pollinators and beneficial insects, tolerates lean soils, and fits naturally into meadow plantings and low-water landscapes. If you’re aiming to garden responsibly, consider choosing native or regionally adapted yarrow when possible and avoid planting aggressive spreaders near natural areas.

Yarrow is pest-resistant, drought-tolerant, and highly attractive to butterflies and beneficial insects. The long-lasting blooms are excellent for fresh bouquets and dried arrangements.

A yarrow plant in bloom with pretty pink and yellow colored flowers.
Wild yarrow is white, but there are many colored cultivars, including pink, yellow, red, and purple. Credit: Anna50

Planting

When to Plant Yarrow

  • Plant in spring or early summer after the danger of frost has passed. See local frost dates.
  • Start from nursery plants, divisions, or tip cuttings in spring.
  • Seeds can be started 8–10 weeks indoors before your last frost date.

Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site

  • Plant in full sun for compact growth and abundant flowers. In partial shade, plants may become leggy.
  • Yarrow prefers well-drained soil and thrives in hot, dry conditions.
  • Avoid constantly wet or poorly drained soil, which can lead to root rot.
  • Loamy soil is ideal, but yarrow tolerates clay soil if it drains well.
  • Loosen soil 12–15 inches deep and mix in 2–4 inches of compost before planting.
  • Avoid overly rich soil; too much fertility can cause floppy stems.

How to Plant Yarrow

  • Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart to allow for spreading.
  • Most varieties grow 2 to 4 feet tall.
  • Water well after planting to help roots establish.

Yarrow with pink flowers

Growing

Watering

  • Yarrow is very drought-tolerant once established.
  • If rainfall is less than 1 inch per week during summer, provide supplemental water.
  • Avoid overwatering.

Feeding

  • Apply a thin layer of compost each spring.
  • Additional fertilizer is rarely necessary.

Deadheading and Pruning

  • “Deadhead” spent flowers in mid-summer to encourage a second bloom.
  • After flowering finishes, cut plants back to tidy growth and sometimes stimulate fall blooms.

Dividing Yarrow

  • Divide plants every 3 to 5 years in early spring or fall.
  • Lift clumps, remove woody or dead centers, and replant healthy divisions.

pink Yarrow flowers.

Harvesting

Harvest flowers when they are fully open but still vibrant. Cut stems in the morning after the dew has dried.

  • Hang small bundles upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated area.
  • Alternatively, use a dehydrator on a low setting.
  • Store dried flowers in airtight containers away from light.

Pests and Problems

Yarrow Problems

Yarrow is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial and is generally resistant to pests and disease, making it a dependable choice for many gardens.

However, problems can occasionally develop, especially in overly wet soil or crowded planting conditions. Yarrow performs best in full sun with excellent drainage and good air circulation to stay healthy and vigorous.

Yarrow Pests

Yarrow may occasionally attract a few common garden pests.

Aphids can cluster on stems and flower heads, feeding on plant sap and causing distorted growth. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs to help control populations naturally

Yarrow Diseases

Yarrow is usually disease-resistant, but a few issues can appear under the right conditions.

Powdery mildew may develop in humid or crowded settings, appearing as a white coating on leaves.

Rust can cause orange or brown spotting on foliage.

Stem or root rot may occur in poorly drained soil, especially during prolonged wet conditions.

To prevent disease:

  • Space plants properly for good airflow
  • Avoid overhead watering
  • Plant in well-drained soil
  • Remove affected foliage promptly to reduce spread

Types

  • Native (Wild) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Typically white-flowering and native across much of North America. It’s an excellent choice for sustainable and pollinator-friendly gardens, meadow plantings, and low-water landscapes. To support local ecosystems, look for regionally adapted or straight-species yarrow (rather than heavily bred cultivars), and avoid planting vigorous spreaders near natural areas.
  • ‘Coronation Gold’ – Grown for its beautiful mustard-yellow flowers and silvery gray leaves.
  • ‘Fanal’ (or ‘The Beacon’) – Loved for rich red flowers with yellow centers.
  • ‘Cerise Queen’ – A bright pink variety that adds vivid color to sunny borders.
Achillea millefolium or Common Yarrow, inflorescence with numerous small white flowers,
Native yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is the classic, pollinator-friendly species—tough, drought-tolerant, and sustainable. Credit: LifeCollectionPhotography

Wit and Wisdom

In addition to its ornamental value, yarrow is an aromatic herb with a long history of traditional use in herbal medicine. If growing for herbal purposes, be sure to correctly identify the species and grow it without chemical treatments. See this wonderful article, Yarrow and Its Medicinal Uses.

Some Native Americans used ground yarrow infused in water as a wash to treat sunburns. It is also sometimes used as a remedy for anxiety and stress.

Yarrow is thought to symbolize everlasting love. Find out more flower meanings here.

yellow yarrow flowers blooming in garden.
Yarrow. Credit: Alexander Boeckmann

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Yarrow

Is yarrow invasive? 

Some varieties spread aggressively. Divide regularly and deadhead if you want to limit self-seeding.

Can yarrow grow in containers? 

Yes, provided containers have excellent drainage and full sun exposure.

Is yarrow deer-resistant? 

Yes, it is typically deer- and rabbit-resistant.

How long does yarrow bloom? 

Most varieties bloom from early to late summer, especially with deadheading.

Flowers

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening, so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 09/13/2018 - 15:46

See above: Yarrow thrives in heat. Safe travels!

 <span>Nyla Welker</span> Sun, 08/19/2018 - 16:55
When the yellow part turns brown, are you suppose to cut them off?
<span>Jerald Jensen</span> Sat, 05/04/2024 - 17:28
Can we save dried branches and flower heads that have been left alone in the ground and just dried up?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 08/20/2018 - 15:11

When the flowers begin to fade, you can cut them off (a.k.a. "deadhead") to encourage the plant to bloom again. Depending on your climate and the length of your growing season, the yarrow may put out more flowers this season. Alternatively, you can leave the fading flowers on the plants to give your garden some texture in the winter months. Note that yarrow will not hesitate to spread if you allow it to go to seed, however! So if you prefer to keep your yarrow contained, then you should remove the flowers once they start to fade.

 <span>Jeanine Collins</span> Mon, 07/23/2018 - 14:10
It takes over choking other plants out! I have pulled it out. I have dug it up. And within week or two its back!!!! It must be related to Bermuda grass!!
<span>D. Sikes</span> Thu, 07/25/2019 - 01:46
You must have left some of the rizomes (sp).. That's how the multipy.
<span>Sheila</span> Wed, 07/11/2018 - 08:05
How much sun does Yarrow need? I have no more than 2 hours of sun in any part of my yard.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 07/12/2018 - 10:13

Yarrow really does best in full sun in a site where it's not too windy. At minimum, it must be started in full sun. In shade, it will grow, but it becomes tall and floppy, and doesn't bloom much. You often have to stake.

 <span>Alecia Smith</span> Sat, 05/12/2018 - 17:51
How well does yarrow do in a pot and how big should the container be?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 05/14/2018 - 13:33

Yarrow thrives in hot, dry conditions with low soil fertility–sometimes container conditions are a bit too rich for its liking.