Does yarrow need full sun?

Yes, it performs best in full sun to maintain its compact habit.

How often should I divide yarrow?

Divide every 3 to 4 years in spring to keep the plant vigorous.

Plant guide

Yarrow.

Achillea millefolium

Pronounced ah-KILL-ee-ah mil-lih-FO-lee-um

Also known as Bloodwort, Carpenter's Weed, Common Yarrow

Achillea millefolium — Photo by Dave Miller (CC0) via gbif

Yarrow is a hardy perennial that brings a classic, feathery texture to any sunny garden spot. It is incredibly tough and handles dry spells like a champ once it is established. You will love how its flat flower clusters attract all sorts of helpful pollinators.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to late summer

Care

Plant your yarrow in well draining soil to keep the roots happy and healthy. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet for too long. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage the plant to keep producing fresh flowers throughout the season.

Watering: Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: A light application of compost in the spring is usually plenty for this plant.
Pruning: Trim back faded flower stalks to promote a second flush of blooms.
Repotting: Divide the clumps every few years to keep the plant vigorous and prevent overcrowding.
Soil: Well draining, sandy or loamy soil
Soil pH: 4.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -35 to 35°C
Humidity: 30 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Plant growth slowing significantly.

Safety

People: The plant contains thujone and can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: The foliage is slightly bitter and may cause minor stomach upset if ingested by small children.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may trigger hay fever in those sensitive to Asteraceae.
Edibility: While historically used in teas, yarrow can cause photosensitivity and should be avoided by those with allergies to the Asteraceae family.

How to identify it

Feathery, fern like foliage
Flat topped clusters of tiny flowers
Stems covered in fine hairs
Strong, aromatic scent when crushed

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, gray-green, deciduous
Flowers: white, pink, red, yellow, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
Root RotUncommon
SpittlebugsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, fall
Overwintering: Cut back dead foliage to the ground in late autumn or early spring. Ensure the soil remains well drained to prevent crown rot during wet winters.
In containers: It grows well in containers at least 30 centimeters deep with excellent drainage.

Division

1. Dig up the entire clump in early spring.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root mass into smaller sections.
3. Replant the divisions at the same depth as the original plant.

Plant yarrow near aromatic herbs to help attract beneficial insects that prey on garden pests.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower · They share similar sun and water requirements.
Russian Sage · The airy texture of sage complements the flat flower heads of yarrow.

Similar species

Sneezeweed · Both are members of the Asteraceae family with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Achillea
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Conservation: It is a common, widespread species and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in open, disturbed sites and grasslands where its deep roots allow it to outcompete other vegetation.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, attracts predatory wasps
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths, beetles
Uses: pollinator garden, meadow planting, dried flower arrangements, ground cover

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does yarrow need full sun?: Yes, it performs best in full sun to maintain its compact habit.
How often should I divide yarrow?: Divide every 3 to 4 years in spring to keep the plant vigorous.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Achillea honors the Greek hero Achilles, who reportedly used the plant to treat his soldiers' wounds. The species name millefolium means thousand-leaved, referring to the finely dissected foliage.

Good to know

Yarrow is often called soldier's woundwort due to its historical medicinal use.
It is highly drought tolerant once established.
The leaves are finely divided and fern-like.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.