Yarrow Seeds, White
$3.25
Achillea millefolium
White yarrow seeds give rise to 2-3’ tall perennial plants with beautiful, dense clusters of snow white flowers and fine, ferny leaves. Some Native American peoples call yarrow “chipmunk tail” because of the foliage’s resemblance. White yarrow has many medicinal uses. In fact, the genus Achillea was named after Achilles who supposedly used yarrow to treat wounds, and the species name “millefolium” means “thousand leaves.” Yarrow makes a lovely ground cover, fresh cut flower, or dried arrangement. It spreads through rhizomes and by self-seeding. If you wish to propagate more yarrow by dividing the roots, do so in the spring or fall.
Yarrow is easy to grow by direct seed in nearly any soil, preferably a well-draining one. It loves full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is a low maintenance, heat and drought tolerant flower. Yarrow blooms all summer and into fall the year after planting. If you start the seeds indoors early enough to give them a head start on the growing season, you may get flowers in the first year. While pre-treatment is not required, the germination rate of white yarrow seeds is increased with cold stratification. Press seeds lightly into the soil's surface as they need light to germinate. Perennial.
- Planting Information
- How to Grow
- Saving Seeds
| Average Seed / oz | Seed / 100' Row | Average Yield / 100' Row | Days to Harvest |
| 200000 | n/a | n/a | 90-120 |
| Planting Season | Ideal Soil Temp | Sun | Frost Tolerance |
| Fall - early Spring | 65-80°F | Full Sun | Frost Sensitive |
| Sowing Method | Seed Depth | Direct Seed Spacing | Seeds Per Packet |
| Direct Seed | surface | 4-6" | 3300 |
| Mature Spacing | Days to Sprout | Production Cycle | Seed Viability |
| 12-24" | 20-45 | Perennial | 2 years |
Choosing your Planting Site
White Yarrow is a perennial, so keep in mind that it will return year after year when deciding where to plant it. Yarrow also spreads through horizontal underground stems called rhizomes, so expect its footprint to expand over time. It thrives in any well-draining soil and prefers full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade.
When to Plant Yarrow Seeds
Since cold stratification increases their germination rate, you can direct sow White Yarrow seeds outdoors any time from after the first hard frost in the fall until two months before the average last frost in the spring. If you decide to cold stratify using the fridge method, put the seeds between layers of damp paper towel or mix with damp sand, put them in a zip-top bag, and keep them in the fridge for at least one month after which you can start the seeds indoors or sow them outside in the spring. If you give yarrow seeds a head start indoors, you are more likely to have them bloom in their first year.
How to Plant Yarrow Seeds
Yarrow seeds need to be exposed to light to germinate, so gently press them into the soil’s surface without burying them. If starting indoors, it can be helpful to water with a gentle mist so the seeds do not move around on the surface. Yarrow seeds can take 20-45 days to sprout, so be patient and keep them consistently moist while you wait!
Different varieties or cultivars of the species Achillea millefolium can cross-pollinate, so keep that in mind if you have any other colorful cultivars growing nearby and intend to save seeds. Yarrow is known to be self-incompatible meaning the flowers cannot self-pollinate, a characteristic that promotes genetic diversity. Yarrow is predominantly pollinated by insects.
How to Harvest Yarrow Seeds
Yarrow flowers will give way to seed heads in late summer/fall. The seeds are ready to be harvested when the seed heads have dried brown. It is best to harvest on a dry day. Allow the seeds to continue drying indoors for a day or two spread out on a piece of newspaper with good ventilation before putting them in your storage container of choice. Store in a cool, dry, dark place for up to two years.