When to Plant Yarrow Seeds: A Guide to Sowing Yarrow for Gorgeous Blooms

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My favorite flowers to grow are flowers that serve many purposes in a garden. As a drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly cut flower, yarrow definitely meets that criteria. I love growing yarrow in my garden for many reasons. Today I’m going to talk about those reasons and give you some tips on how to do the same.

Yarrow gets its scientific name, achillea millefolium, from the root words “milli” (thousand) and “folium” (foliage/leaves). If you look very closely, yarrow leaves almost look like feathers. They are made up of thousands of very small leaves. Before you start to grow yarrow, here are some of its great qualities to help you decide if it would be a good fit for your garden:

With its ferny, aromatic foliage and cheery pom-pom blooms, yarrow is a lovely addition to any garden Getting this hardy perennial established from seed takes some patience, but the results are well worth it Here is a complete guide to when and how to plant yarrow seeds for success.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is native to Europe Asia and North America. The common name comes from the legend that the Greek warrior Achilles used yarrow to staunch battlefield wounds.

In addition to its long history as a medicinal herb, yarrow has become a popular ornamental plant, with many cultivars boasting different bloom colors and shapes.

Key features that make yarrow a great landscape plant:

Flowers in shades of white, pink, red, yellow, and orange
Forms a bushy mound 1-3 feet tall
Lacy, fern-like foliage

Withstands heat, drought, pests, and poor soil
Spreads aggressively via rhizomatous roots
Attracts pollinators

When to Sow Yarrow Seeds Outdoors

Yarrow can be planted either by direct seeding into the garden or by starting seeds indoors and transplanting. Here are the optimal times for spring and fall outdoor sowing based on your climate:

Spring Planting

In cold winter climates, sow yarrow seeds outdoors in early to mid spring once the soil has thawed and can be worked. Wait until after the average last spring frost date.

In mild winter climates, sow seeds in late winter or very early spring. Yarrow needs a period of cold, moist conditions to break dormancy and germinate well.

Fall Planting

In zones 3-9, sow yarrow seeds in autumn once temperatures cool down. This exposes seeds to the cold, wet conditions they prefer for germinating the following spring.

In zones 9-11, sow in late fall to early winter. Seeds will germinate when temperatures warm up in late winter.

Tips for Direct Sowing Yarrow Outdoors

Follow these tips for the best results planting yarrow seeds directly in the garden:

Loosen soil and clear any debris from the planting area. Yarrow thrives in well-drained, average to poor soil.
Rake area smooth and remove any rocks or clumps. The seeds require good contact with the soil.
Broadcast seeds, scattering them evenly over the prepared bed.

Use about 1/4 teaspoon of seeds per square foot. Yarrow has very tiny seeds.
Press seeds into soil, but do not cover them. Light is required for germination. Gently firming them down improves germination.
Water gently to moisten soil after planting. Avoid heavy watering that can displace seeds.

Keep soil moist until seedlings emerge, which takes 10-14 days. Thin seedlings 8-12 inches apart.

When to Start Yarrow Seeds Indoors

For a head start on the growing season, yarrow can be started indoors:

Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected spring frost.
Use a sterile seed starting mix and containers with good drainage.
Barely cover seeds with mix; light aids germination.

Maintain temperatures of 65-70°F until germination.
Thin seedlings and transplant into garden after hardening off.

The Best Time to Plant Yarrow

While yarrow is flexible enough to be planted in spring, fall, or started indoors, the prime time to sow seeds is early to mid spring in most climates. This allows the young plants to establish before heat and drought stresses of summer. Seedlings have time to mature and acclimate before winter.

However, north of zone 6, you can successfully sow yarrow in the fall for germination the following spring. And in frost-free areas, winter planting will provide blooms all season long.

Ongoing Care of Yarrow Plants

Here are some tips for keeping your yarrow thriving once established:

Water moderately in first year, reduce after established. Tolerates drought.

Cut back spent flower stems to encourage reblooming.
Divide congested plants in early spring every 2-4 years.
Cut back foliage to 6 inches after first hard frost in fall.

Mulch plants in very cold climates for winter protection.
Yarrow has few pests or diseases to trouble it. Good air circulation prevents powdery mildew.

Achieving Maximum Growth in Year One

Yarrow plants will be smaller and produce less flowers in their first year. You can boost their growth by:

Giving plants a high phosphorus fertilizer to stimulate root development soon after transplanting.
Supplying supplemental water during dry periods for the first year.

Cutting back any blooms in year one and pinching plants in midsummer to encourage bushy growth.

The Benefits of Growing Yarrow

Once established, yarrow offers tremendous value as a resilient, trouble-free plant. It has many uses:

Adds height, color, and texture to any flower bed or border
Excellent for pollinator gardens, attracting bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
Functions as a beautiful ground cover and erosion control

Withstands wind, heat, and drought when mature
Flowers make long-lasting cut or dried arrangements

Ready to Plant this Versatile Perennial?

Yarrow is one of those dependable perennials that every garden should include. With its airy flowers and fine foliage, it offers grace and beauty from spring to fall. While starting yarrow from seed requires patience, the extra effort pays off for years to come. Give this beautiful herbaceous plant a spot in full sun, and it will reward you with its cheery blooms and carefree growth.

How to Grow Yarrow From Seed?

I highly recommend growing yarrow from seed. The fact that yarrow comes in so many colors is another reason I grow it. You can buy yarrow at the nursery, but growing it from seed can give you more color choices for cut flowers. There is a list of places I buy seeds HERE if you want to know where to get yarrow seeds.

Yarrow is a perennial plant. This means it will bloom when it’s hot, die back in the fall, and stay mostly dormant during the cool season. Then it will start the cycle all over again in the spring. The ideal time to start yarrow from seed is in Spring or early Summer. If you live somewhere very hot, like I do, you should start in the spring so your plants can get established before the heat comes on.

Yarrow seeds need light to germinate. Basically, this means you don’t bury the seeds in the ground. Instead, you spread them out gently on top of the soil and lightly rake them in. When I grow yarrow from seeds, I just follow the basic steps for starting seeds. I know that they do better with light during germination. Simply sprinkle your yarrow seeds over pre-moistened seed starting mix (check out our DIY seed starting mix). You can press them gently into the soil or even slightly scratch them into the soil. Now we wait! It can take anywhere from 10-14 days to germinate. Water from the bottom, as the seeds will easily float away if you try to water from above.

Soil Conditions for Yarrow

As I mentioned before, soil preferences could depend on the variety of yarrow you are growing. In general, yarrow can tolerate a wide range of conditions and is extremely adaptable. In addition to my native garden areas, I add my own homemade compost to every garden bed I plant. This has made my soil and drainage much better over the years. The different kinds of yarrow I grow seem to do well with my general soil-amending plan, which you can read about in How to Amend Your Soil Organically.

Always check to see the height of the variety of yarrow you are growing. Most varieties stay between 12-24″ tall. This makes yarrow great for borders or planting in the front of garden beds.

Space your yarrow plants approximately 1 foot apart. They will quickly fill in and each year spread through rhizomes like most perennials do.

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This Plant Does Everything (And Grows Itself!) | Yarrow Grow Guide

FAQ

Is yarrow hard to grow from seed?

Yarrow is easy to start from seed and will spread in your garden through self-seeding and rhizomes.

Can I scatter yarrow seeds?

When started outdoors, spread yarrow seeds via broadcasting into moistened soil and do not bury or cover them, but instead press them into the soil. Keep the soil moist as the seeds germinate.

Where is the best place to plant yarrow?

Plant in an area that receives full sun to encourage compact growth and many flowers. In partial sun or shade, yarrow tends to grow leggy. Yarrow performs best in well-drained soil. It thrives in hot, dry conditions; it will not tolerate constantly wet soil.

Is yarrow a perennial or annual?

An attractive, hardy perennial, yarrow can reach about 3 feet in height. Its aromatic, fine, feathery-cut leaves give the plant a soft, fern-like appearance.

When should I plant Yarrow?

Plant yarrow in the spring or early summer after the danger of frost has passed. If planting from tip cuttings, do so in the spring or early summer. Plant in an area that receives full sun to encourage compact growth and many flowers. In partial sun or shade, yarrow tends to grow leggy.

How do you grow Yarrow seeds?

Yarrow can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but it prefers soil that is slightly sandy and on the alkaline side. Once the soil is prepared, scatter the yarrow seeds over the surface and lightly press them into the soil. Yarrow seeds are very small, so avoid burying them too deep. A light covering of soil or vermiculite is sufficient.

How long do Yarrow seeds take to germinate?

Water the soil gently, being careful not to wash away the seeds. Yarrow seeds will germinate in 14 to 21 days, depending on the temperature and humidity. Yarrow prefers dry soils, so avoid overwatering. Once the seedlings are about 2 inches tall, thin them to a spacing of 12 to 18 inches apart.

Can Yarrow seeds grow in winter?

By using winter sowing methods, yarrow seeds naturally receive the cold treatment they need and sprout when spring air begins to warm soil. Sow yarrow seed in a commercial seed starting mix that’s designed to get seedlings off to a solid start. Barely cover yarrow seeds. Aim for one-quarter inch of soil at most.