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Yarrow Planting Guide

Yarrow is a drought-tolerant perennial herb with feathery foliage and flat-topped flower clusters in white, yellow, pink, or red. It attracts beneficial insects and is used in herbal medicine.

Achillea millefolium ยท Herb ยท Asteraceae family ยท 90โ€“120 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Yarrow Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Yarrow?

Yarrow Growing Regions

Click any state to see the Yarrow planting schedule for that location.

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest
Zone 3a โ€” โ€” May 22 Aug 21 โ€“ Sep 25
Zone 3b โ€” โ€” May 17 Aug 16 โ€“ Sep 20
Zone 4a โ€” โ€” May 13 Aug 12 โ€“ Oct 7
Zone 4b โ€” โ€” May 8 Aug 7 โ€“ Oct 2
Zone 5a โ€” โ€” May 2 Aug 1 โ€“ Oct 17
Zone 5b โ€” โ€” Apr 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Oct 10
Zone 6a โ€” โ€” Apr 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Oct 2
Zone 6b โ€” โ€” Apr 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Sep 25
Zone 7a โ€” โ€” Apr 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Sep 16
Zone 7b โ€” โ€” Mar 25 Jun 24 โ€“ Sep 9
Zone 8a โ€” โ€” Mar 15 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 30
Zone 8b โ€” โ€” Mar 4 Jun 3 โ€“ Aug 19
Zone 9a โ€” โ€” Feb 17 May 19 โ€“ Aug 4
Zone 9b โ€” โ€” Feb 1 May 3 โ€“ Jul 19
Why are some columns showing "โ€”"?

Start Indoors shows "โ€”" because Yarrow is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Direct Sow shows "โ€”" because Yarrow benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.

How to Plant Yarrow

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Drought tolerant โ€” water only when soil is dry 2" deep.

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil โ€” ideal for most garden beds.

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a โ€“ 9b

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

๐Ÿ‘ช Plant Family

Asteraceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Asteraceae family crops grew last year.

How Much Yarrow to Grow

Yarrow takes 90โ€“120 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.

Companion Planting for Yarrow

โœ… Good Companions

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Yarrow

Direct sow or start from divisions. Yarrow thrives in poor soil and is very drought-tolerant. Deadhead to encourage reblooming. Divide clumps every 3 years.

Saving Yarrow Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

๐Ÿชด
Fabric Grow Bags $10-25

Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.

๐Ÿบ
Self-Watering Planters $15-40

Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.

๐ŸŒฑ
Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

Level Up Your Garden

Yarrow by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Yarrow?

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) takes 90 to 120 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Yarrow grow in?

Yarrow can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Yarrow need?

Growing Yarrow requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low โ€” drought tolerant, and soil pH of 5.5 to 7.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.