Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture level with your finger.
- Inspect the base of the stems for soft or discolored tissue.
- Ensure the planting site does not collect standing water.
Likely causes
Poor drainage
Most likelyHow to tell: The base of the plant feels mushy and the leaves are yellowing or dropping.
What to do: Improve soil drainage by mixing in sand or grit. If the plant is in a low spot, transplant it to a raised bed or a higher area of the garden.
Overwatering
PossibleHow to tell: The soil stays consistently wet and the plant looks sickly and limp.
What to do: Wait until the top 3 inches of soil are completely dry before watering again. Reduce your watering frequency to every 10 to 14 days.
When to worry
If the entire base of the plant is mushy and smells bad, the roots have likely already died and the plant may not recover.
Stopping it coming back
Always plant yarrow in well draining soil and never water unless the top few inches of soil are dry.
Not sure which one it is? Photograph your yarrow.
This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- How often should I water yarrow?
- Water deeply every 7 to 14 days, but only when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
- Can yarrow recover from root rot?
- If caught early, you can save it by moving it to drier soil and trimming away any black or mushy roots.
More problems with Yarrow
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.