How to grow Common Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Full Sun
OR
Partial Sun
Low

Thrives in well-drained, sunny locations.

Mulch to prevent weeds. Fertilize lightly if at all. This plant needs to be divided every 2 – 3 years. Can sometimes be invasive.¹

Growing Common yarrow from seed

Seeds require light for germination, so optimal germination occurs when planted no deeper than ¼ inch.

Sow 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) deep with a guideline distance of 11.9 inches (30.5 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 18°C / 64°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Common yarrow about 49 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Common yarrow

Common yarrow responds best to soil that is poorly developed and well drained. It is a weedy species and can become invasive. It may suffer from mildew or root rot if not planted in well-drained soil.

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Common yarrow is a hardy plant.

Harvesting Common yarrow

Harvest aerial parts (flowers and stalks) in summer, when the plant is in flower ³. The aerial parts can be used fresh or dried, and contain flavenoids ³. The leaves are used fresh ³.

How long does Common yarrow take to grow?

These estimates for how long Common yarrow takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Common yarrow to germinate?: 13 days
Average 13 days | Min 2 days | Max 56 days (26)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Common yarrow?: + 55 days
Average 55 days | Min 41 days | Max 86 days (2)
Days to Maturity How long until Common yarrow is ready for harvest / bloom?: + 75 days
Average 75 days | Min 14 days | Max 671 days (11)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Common yarrow?: = 143 days

When should I plant Common yarrow?

Our when to plant Common yarrow estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Common yarrow before or after your last frost date.: 49 days before Last Frost Date

Common yarrow Etymology

Named for Achilles, who is said to have used a yarrow dressing to heal wounds and the wounds of his soldiers; thus the common name Soldier’s Woundwort, and the genus name Achillea ⁴.

Common yarrow Folklore & Trivia

Chinese proverbs claim that yarrow brightens the eyes and promotes intelligence.
It is said that it grows around the grave of Confucius.
Yarrow was one of the herbs put in Saxon amulets. These amulets were for protection from everything from blindness to barking dogs.
In the Middle Ages, witches were said to use yarrow to make incantations. This may be the source for the common names devil’s nettle, devil’s plaything, and bad man’s plaything.
A folk belief states that if you hang a bunch of dried yarrow or yarrow that had been used in wedding decorations over the bed, you can thus ensure a lasting love for at least seven years.
Navajo Indians considered it to be a “life medicine”, chewed it for toothaches, and poured an infusion into ears for earaches.
The Cherokee drank a tea of common yarrow to reduce fever and aid in restful sleep.
Shakers used yarrow for complaints from hemorrhages to flatulence.
Yarrow was once known as" nosebleed" because its leaves were used to staunch blood. ³
In Scotland, yarrow was used to make a traditional wound ointment ³

Other names for Common yarrow

Yarrow

Herba militaris

Misspellings: Achillea millifolium, Achillea millennium

Footnotes

¹ Gardening 1-2-3, The Home Depot

² Smiling Gardener’s hub chart

³ :The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, by Andrew Chevallier; First published 1996

⁴ :Growing Herbs with Margaret Roberts; First published 1985