Yarrow
Achillea millefolium and hybrids
Yarrow is a tough perennial with feathery leaves and flat heads of tiny flowers in white, yellow, pink and red. It thrives in sun, poor soil and drought, and attracts many beneficial insects.
Photo: SAplants · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Watering
Low
Water until established, then rarely.
Soil
Average to poor, well-drained soil; pH 6.0–8.0.
Temperature and humidity
-35–38 °C · Low humidity
Feeding
No feeding needed; rich soil makes it floppy.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by division, seed
Deadhead to prolong flowering.
Yarrow can cause stomach upset in cats and dogs and may irritate sensitive skin.
Top Cultivation Tips
Good for dry gravel gardens.
Divide every few years to control spread.
Dries well for arrangements.
Attracts hoverflies and ladybirds.
Common problems
Powdery mildew
A fungal disease that coats leaves, buds and young shoots with a white, flour-like dust, weakening the plant and spoiling flowers and fruit.
How to treat it →DiseaseRoot rot
Roots decay in waterlogged soil, so the plant wilts and yellows even though the soil is wet.
How to treat it →
