Translate this page:
Summary
Yarrow's young leaves are edible, raw, or cooked; they have a somewhat bitter flavour but can be a valuable addition to mixed salads, mainly when used sparingly in combination with other greens. Harvest leaves when young for the most tender texture and mildest taste. Leaves have been used as a substitute for hops in brewing beer, providing flavour and preservative qualities. An aromatic tea is brewed from the leaves and flowers, offering a fragrant and slightly bitter taste. An essential oil derived from the flowering heads is used as a flavouring in soft drinks. Although yarrow has many culinary applications, it must be used in moderation due to its potential toxicity.
Yarrow has a long-standing reputation in herbal medicine. It effectively treats wounds, stops bleeding, and addresses colds, fevers, kidney diseases, and menstrual pain. Yarrow's leaves and flowers are used fresh or dried and harvested when the plant is in bloom. Medicinal properties include astringent, diaphoretic, and anti-inflammatory uses.
Yarrow thrives in various soil conditions. It prefers poor or lime-rich soils and does well in maritime gardens. The plant is notably drought-tolerant, remaining green and resilient even when surrounding grass turns brown during dry periods. It can handle temperatures down to about -25°C. It is a valuable companion plant known to enhance nearby plants' health and essential oil content, thus boosting their resistance to pests. Yarrow attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings. Its flat-topped flower clusters provide an ideal platform for these pollinators, supporting biodiversity in the garden. Yarrow is a host plant for caterpillars and supports predatory insects that help control pest populations. Yarrow is native to many regions, including parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. Bloom Color: Pink, White.
Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics
Achillea millefolium is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Achillea lanulosa Nutt. Achillea gracilis Raf. Achillea albida Willd.
Plant Habitats
Ground Cover; Lawn; Meadow;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment Tea
Leaves - raw or cooked[4, 5, 46, 52]. A rather bitter flavour, they make an acceptable addition to mixed salads and are best used when young[9, 183, K]. The leaves are also used as a hop-substitute for flavouring and as a preservative for beer etc[2, 9, 53, 183]. Although in general yarrow is a very nutritious and beneficial plant to add to the diet, some caution should be exercised[K]. See the notes above on possible toxicity. An aromatic tea is made from the flowers and leaves[183]. An essential oil from the flowering heads is used as a flavouring for soft drinks[183].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidiarrhoeal Antiinflammatory Antiseptic Antispasmodic Appetizer Aromatic Astringent Carminative
Cholagogue Diaphoretic Digestive Emmenagogue Odontalgic Stimulant Tonic
Vasodilator Vulnerary
Yarrow has a high reputation and is widely employed in herbal medicine, administered both internally and externally. It is used in the treatment of a very wide range of disorders but is particularly valuable for treating wounds, stopping the flow of blood, treating colds, fevers, kidney diseases, menstrual pain etc[218, 238, 254, 257]. The whole plant is used, both fresh and dried, and is best harvested when in flower[222]. Some caution should be exercised in the use of this herb since large or frequent doses taken over a long period may be potentially harmful[222], causing allergic rashes and making the skin more sensitive to sunlight[238]. The herb combines well with Sambucus nigra flowers (Elder) and Mentha x piperita vulgaris (Peppermint) for treating colds and influenza[268]. The herb is antiseptic, antispasmodic, mildly aromatic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, odontalgic, stimulant, bitter tonic, vasodilator and vulnerary[4, 9, 14, 21, 54, 145, 165, 172, 238, 240, 254]. It also contains the anti-inflammatory agent azulene, though the content of this varies even between plants in the same habitat[238]. The herb is harvested in the summer when in flower and can be dried for later use[4]. The fresh leaf can be applied direct to an aching tooth in order to relieve the pain[268].
References More on Medicinal Uses
The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books
Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.
Edible Tropical Plants
Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
Edible Temperate Plants
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
More Books
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.
Shop Now
Other Uses
Companion Compost Cosmetic Dye Essential Hair Liquid feed Repellent
The growing plant repels beetles, ants and flies[14, 99, 172]. The plant has been burnt to ward off mosquitoes[257]. A liquid plant feed can be made from the leaves[54]. You fill a container with the leaves and then add some water. Leave it to soak for a week or two and then dilute the rather smelly dark liquid, perhaps 10 - 1 with water, though this figure is not crucial[K]. This plant is an essential ingredient of the 'Quick Return' herbal compost activator[32]. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost[K]. The fragrant seeds have been used to impart a pleasant smell indoors[257]. An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used medicinally[17, 46, 61]. The leaves contain from 0.6 to 0.85% essential oil[240]. The leaves have been used as a cosmetic cleanser for greasy skin[268]. Yellow and green dyes are obtained from the flowers[168]. A good ground cover plant, spreading quickly by its roots[208]. A dynamic accumulator gathers minerals or nutrients from the soil and stores them in a more bioavailable form - used as fertilizer or to improve mulch. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – Yarrow flowers are rich in nectar and attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – Certain insects can use The leaves and flowers as food, while the plant can provide some shelter with its foliage. It is also beneficial for various wildlife but is not primarily a food source for larger wildlife. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – Yarrow can provide habitat for beneficial insects and overwintering sites due to its dense growth and leaf litter. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
Yes – Yarrow’s aromatic foliage can deter some pests and is thought to confuse them, providing a degree of pest management in gardens.
Special Uses
Attracts Wildlife Dynamic accumulator Food Forest Ground cover Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses: Container, Ground cover, Massing, Seashore, Woodland garden. Succeeds in most soils and situations but prefers well-drained soil in a sunny position[1, 14]. Shade tolerant[13]. Plants live longer in poor soil[200] and do well on lime[208]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[200]; they can show distress in very severe droughts but usually recover[190]. It remains green after grass has turned brown in a drought[187]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[233]. The plant has a very spreading root system and is usually quite invasive[233, K]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures to about -25°c[187]. Yarrow is an excellent plant for growing in lawns, meadows, orchards, etc.; it is tolerant of repeated close cutting and of being walked on[20, 54]. It works to improve the soil fertility[20, 54]. A very good companion plant, it improves the health of plants growing nearby and enhances their essential oil content, thus making them more resistant to insect predation [14, 18, 20, 53]. Some named forms are selected for their ornamental value[183, 238]. 'Pink' (syn. 'Rosea') has aromatic foliage and deep pink flowers[183]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. A good bee plant is an important nectar source for many insects[24]. Special Features:
Attractive foliage, edible, fragrant foliage, invasive, naturalizing, attracts butterflies, and is suitable for cut and dried flowers. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures.
Plant Heat Zones show when plants start suffering from the heat.
The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C).
At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days).
For example, Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design and the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub, etc. and size shown above), information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is fibrous, dividing into many fine roots [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous, with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2]. Yarrow can be harvested from late spring to early summer, primarily in bloom. Yarrow typically flowers in late spring to early summer.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).
Shop Now
Plant Propagation
Seed - sow spring or early autumn in a cold frame[133]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months[133]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, the divisions can be planted direct into their permanent positions. Divisions succeed at any time of the year. Basal cuttings of new shoots in spring. Very easy, collect the shoots when they are about 10cm tall, potting them up individually in pots and keeping them in a warm but lightly shaded position. They should root within 3 weeks and will be ready to plant out in the summer.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Also known as bloodwort,
carpenter's weed,
common yarrow,
hierba de las cortaduras,
milfoil,
plumajillo.
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, Eastern Siberia, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia, Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia, Turkey, Western Siberia, Afghanistan. TROPICAL ASIA: India (northwest), Pakistan, NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, United States, Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida (north), Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Mexico, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Durango (west), Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Baja California (Norte), Chiapas, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, México, Michoacán de Ocampo, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Tlaxcala, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, Ciudad de México, SOUTHERN AMERICA: Guatemala, Honduras, EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, Faroe Islands, United Kingdom (U.K.), Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation-European part, European part, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal,
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
The plant is often considered to be an aggressive weed and has spread from its original range in Europe and western Asia to many of the places humans have gone to.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Least Concern
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
17200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment