Yarrow is a hardy herbaceous perennial which has value as both an herb, and as an ornamental flower. Learn how to grow yarrow from seed, and add this diverse plant to your garden.
Yarrow is very easy to grow from seed.
In our zone 5b garden, we start the seeds early indoors and grow them under lights, so that the plants will be a good size for planting out in spring. When started early, these perennial plants will actually produce blooms in their first year, which can then be used as cut flowers.
At the flower farm we grow varieties of yarrow which have been cultivated for ornamental use, and the flowers are larger and more colorful than those seen in the wild species plant. These varieties are not quite as hardy as the wild yarrow in our growing zone, and are therefore planted from seed usually every season or two.
If the plants survive their first winter, the return of second year plants yields taller flowers, and more robust plants. So depending on your growing zone, you may have success with the same yarrow plants for multiple seasons.
The key to having this plant in your garden is to plant regularly in colder climates, so that you will always have some to use.
Understanding Yarrow
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a hardy perennial herb known for it’s resilience, and it’s wide range of uses in gardens and herbal medicine. Commonly seen growing wild, all over the world, you may already be familiar with this common plant.
Yarrow is hardy from USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9.
The flower heads on yarrow are large and dome shaped, and consist of multiple tiny, florets.
Wild yarrow produces smaller plants with clusters of white flowers. Cultivated yarrow flowers on the other hand, are often found in muted shades of apricot, rose, burgundy and buttercream yellow, and produce larger plants and larger flowers.
The foliage of yarrow is feathery, and the ferny leaves are finely divided, and aromatic when crushed.
The flowering season is fairly long considering this plant is a perennial, and plants will bloom for approximately one month. They will also rebloom in late summer if deadheaded.
Yarrow spreads via rhizomes, and also through self seeding. I try to establish a patch of yarrow from which to harvest from, year after year.
Growing Yarrow From Seed
Growing yarrow from seed is fairly easy, and planting the seeds indoors gives them a head start on the season.
When starting seeds indoors, planting 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost gives potential for first year flowering.
These seeds can also be winter sown, and do very well with this sowing method. Winter sown plants may not have time to flower in the first season however, if grown in colder climates.
Yarrow can also be directly sown into a prepared garden bed. Direct sowing can be done in the spring or in the late fall.
The plants will also readily self seed, so if you have an established bed of yarrow, the plants can perpetuate themselves through reseeding.
For the sake of this post, I’ll cover the process of growing yarrow from seed indoors, which can help you to have flowers in the first season, if started at the right time.
Planting The Seeds Indoors
- Start the seeds in a cell tray filled with a good quality seed starting mix.
- Make an indent on top of each cell in the tray, into which you can drop the seeds. The seeds are very tiny, and can be sown directly on top of the soil.
- Do not cover the seeds, as they require light for germination.
- Bottom water to moisten the soil, and make sure to keep the soil moist while the seeds are geminating. Bottom water as needed.
- Place on a heat mat to warm the soil temperature, and keep on the heat mat until 60% of the seeds have germinated. Fresh seeds will germinate fairly quickly, within a 2 week period or even sooner.
- Remove from the heat mat at this point and place under a grow light, to provide light until the seedlings are ready to be transplanted out in spring.
- Provide 14 to 16 hours of light daily for healthy robust plants.
Transplanting To The Garden
- Make sure to harden off the seedlings before transplanting out, into the garden. This will help to acclimate the seedlings to the outdoor environment.
- Transplant yarrow seedlings outdoors into the garden when the danger of frost has passed. Know your last frost date for your hardiness zone to be aware of the best time for planting out.
- Plant out into the garden, with a spacing of 9 inches between plants.
- Water in well after planting.
- When started early indoors, these perennial plants can bloom in their first year, which is not typical of many perennials. The plants will need at least 120 to 130 days of growth however, before they will bloom.
- First year flowers and stems will be smaller than those of mature plants. Height of mature stems is 2 to 3 feet tall.
- Once established in the garden, yarrow will bloom for approximately one month, and can rebloom in the late summer or fall if the flowers are deadheaded. Our plants are in full bloom by mid July.
Maintenance And Care
Light Requirements
- Grow in a full sun location for best flowering potential. Yarrow thrives best in full sunlight, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Full sun conditions are ideal for yarrow, as they promote dense foliage and abundant flowering, making it a great choice for sunny garden beds.
Moisture Requirements
- Yarrow is well-known for its drought tolerance, making it an excellent choice for gardens in dry climates or for water-conserving landscapes.
- When first planted however make sure to water well, and keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged, while the roots are establishing.
- Once established, yarrow is highly drought-resistant. It typically requires only occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.
Soil Requirements
- Yarrow performs best in well-drained soil. Poorly drained soils should be avoided, because standing water can lead to root rot.
- The plants prefer moderately fertile soil, and can also tolerate poor soil quality, including sandy or rocky soils.
Harvesting Yarrow
Yarrow makes a wonderful cut flower.
Each flower head produces clusters of tiny flowers, which are closed and round initially, giving the appearance of broccoli florets.
Then the flowers open to reveal large flattened umbels, containing lots of tiny colorful flowers. This gives each flower head a disc-like appearance, and makes a great shape to work with in arrangements as a filler flower.
Harvest yarrow when the flower heads are mature, and have opened up. At this point you will see pollen on the flower. This is important, because if harvested in an immature stage, the flowers are likely to wilt.
You can also do a wiggle test on the stem, as is often done to determine the maturity of zinnia flowers. If the stem is very wiggly when you wiggle it back and forth, rather than holding the flower firm, allow some more time before harvesting.
Harvest in the morning or evening hours for best hydration.
Cut deeply into the plant to harvest long stems. Strip the lower leaves from the bottom half of the stems, and allow them to condition in a cool and shaded location, for several hours minimum, before using.
Vase life for yarrow is about 7 days with the right stage and conditioning.
Using Yarrow
Use yarrow as a filler flower, to fill the gaps in your arrangements. The lacy umbels have a romantic appearance, and add a beautiful touch to arrangements.
Yarrow can also be used as a dried flower. Use in dried flower crafts, wreath making, and flower arrangements with other mixed dried blooms.
When harvesting for drying, harvest at the same stage as for fresh. Make sure to harvest mature flower heads, otherwise the immature flowers will droop as they dry, because the immature stems will wilt.
To dry, hang the mature yarrow flowers together in bunches of similar colors, allowing them to air dry for several weeks. Keep in a warm, dark, and well ventilated location until dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take Yarrow Seeds To Germinate?
Yarrow seeds typically germinate within 1 to 2 weeks under optimal conditions, which include fresh seeds, a soil temperature of around 65-75°F (18-24°C), and consistent moisture.
How Often Should I Water Yarrow seedlings?
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged until seedlings are well-established. Once established, yarrow is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering.
Can Yarrow Be Grown In Containers?
Yes, yarrow can be grown in containers. In colder climates the containers will require winter protection.
Make sure to use a well-draining potting mix and a pot with good drainage and adequate drainage holes. Container-grown yarrow will require more frequent watering than ground-planted yarrow.
When Can I Expect Yarrow Plants To Bloom After Sowing From Seed?
Yarrow typically blooms in the first year after sowing, in 120 to 130 days after planting, but the fullest and most vibrant blooms often occur in the second year, and thereafter.
Conclusion
Growing yarrow from seed is a great way to start this elegant plant, and a simple and effective way to enhance your garden space.
Sowing from seed allows you to have an opportunity to grow varieties of the plant that may not otherwise be readily available at your garden centers.
This hardy and versatile perennial plant not only beautifies your space and vase with it’s charming flowers, but also plays a role in attracting beneficial insects, and promoting biodiversity. Yarrow is a perfect plant for pollinator gardens.
The plant is low maintenance, and requires little care once established.
With it’s minimal care requirements and resilience to most growing conditions, yarrow is an excellent choice for most gardens.
Embrace the process and look forward to the benefits that this wonderful plant brings. Happy gardening!
Have you ever tried to grow yarrow from seed? Be sure to leave a comment below to share your experience!
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