Yarrow

Basic Information

Seed Number

60

Seed Name

Yarrow

Variety

White

Category

Medicinal

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 1

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 1 – Mar 24

Direct Sow

Apr 15 – May 31

Transplant

May 5 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

8 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

0 weeks

Germination Days

10–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

65-72°F

Planting Depth

Surface sow; light required

Plant Spacing

12-24 in

Row Spacing

24-30 in

Thin-To Spacing

12-24 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun; tolerates partial shade

Water Needs

Water during establishment; established plants are drought tolerant

Soil Preference

Any well-drained soil; performs well in lean or moderately poor soil

Minimum Container Size

3 gal

Plant Height

24-36 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

Yes

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

Yes

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors or direct sow; many benefit from cold stratification
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Apr 15 – Jun 15; Sep 1 – Oct 15 for fall sowing
Germination Time: 10–30+ days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Blooms/harvest often year 2
Container Friendly: Yes for many; deep-rooted types prefer ground
Succession / Reusable Notes: Great for permanent herb/medicinal beds.
Zone 6B Notes: Many medicinal perennials need patience and may not bloom first year.
Companion Plants: Yarrow, echinacea, calendula, lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, clover, native flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Crowded/overly wet beds
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Common white yarrow is a hardy perennial and is well suited to Zone 6B. Established plants tolerate summer heat and dry periods.
Germination: Seed requires light for germination. Surface sow and press into the growing medium rather than covering deeply.
Harvest: For cut flowers, harvest when pollen is visible. For traditional herbal use, flowering aerial portions are commonly collected during bloom.
Seed Saving: Allow flower heads to fully mature and dry before collecting seed. Yarrow can self-seed and spread by rhizomes.
Special Care: Divide mature clumps every 3-4 years if vigor declines. Avoid overly fertile soil, which can encourage floppy growth.
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/yarrow/yarrow-key-growing-information.html — plant height, spacing, Zones 2-9, light requirement, soil, harvest and cut-flower use
Research Source: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/achillea-millefolium/ — common yarrow identity, perennial habit, drought tolerance, pollinator value and traditional medicinal use
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]