Wildflower
Common yarrow is a frost-hardy perennial herb with a rich history of medicinal and culinary use, prized for its feathery foliage and long-lasting dried flowers. This heirloom variety reaches maturity in 120 days and thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct light daily. Yarrow has been traditionally used to treat colds, fevers, and wounds, making it both a functional garden addition and a beautiful wildflower that provides country charm throughout the growing season. It's equally at home in a drying rack or a medicinal tea, combining ornamental appeal with genuine utility.
Full Sun
Low
3-9
?in H x ?in W
Perennial
Moderate
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This easy-to-grow perennial is celebrated equally as a dried flower and as a functional herb with centuries of traditional medicinal use. The feathery foliage and long flowering season create visual interest while the plant demands minimal fussing once established in full sun. Surface-sown seeds sprout in just 14 to 21 days, rewarding impatient gardeners with quick results, and the frost-hardy nature means it can be grown across most climates as a reliable returning perennial.
Common yarrow functions as both a culinary and medicinal herb. Historically it has been brewed into teas to address colds and fevers, while the dried flowers add visual interest to arrangements and dried flower displays. The plant's leaves can be used to prepare herbal infusions, and its long-flowering nature and ease of drying make it popular among herbalists and dried flower enthusiasts who value its ability to maintain color and structure through the drying process.
Surface sow common yarrow seeds directly where you want them to grow. Seeds will sprout in 14 to 21 days when soil temperatures are within the ideal range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow in early spring after the danger of frost has passed, or in fall for spring germination.
Harvest common yarrow after 120 days of growth, once the plant has reached maturity. Leaves and flower heads can be cut for fresh use or dried. For medicinal tea, harvest leaves when they are fully developed but before flowering. For dried flowers, cut the flower heads when they are fully open and dry them in a cool, dark place. Cut stems close to the base to encourage additional growth.
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“Common yarrow carries the weight of centuries. The scientific name Achillea references the Greek hero Achilles, who reportedly used the plant to treat battle wounds, embedding yarrow in the mythology of healing itself. Across European gardens and folk traditions, it has been cultivated for generations as a trusted herb, passed down through families and communities who recognized its value in treating fevers and wounds. This heirloom variety represents that continuous thread of cultivation and use, a plant that has earned its place in gardens not through marketing but through genuine effectiveness and reliability over time.”