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.
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.
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.
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.
Hey garden friends! I’ve been getting lots of questions about yarrow seeds lately and I totally get why – these tiny little things can be pretty tricky to identify! As someone who’s grown yarrow for years I’m excited to share everything I know about spotting and growing these amazing seeds.
What Exactly Are Yarrow Seeds?
Let me break down what you’re looking for when hunting yarrow seeds:
- Size: Super tiny! (like, seriously tiny – about 350,000 seeds per ounce!)
- Color: Light brown to grayish
- Texture: Soft and fluffy when fresh, smoother when dried
- Shape: Oblong with a tapered end
- Special feature: They have tiny hairs (called pappus) when fresh
The Life Stages of Yarrow Seeds
Stage 1: Fresh on the Plant
When you first spot them on the plant, you’ll see:
- Dense, flattened clusters on tall stems
- Up to 100 tiny seeds per cluster
- Green color that gradually changes
Stage 2: Ready for Harvest
The seeds are good to go when:
- Color turns reddish-brown or tan
- Seed heads become darker
- They feel dry and brittle
- Seeds fall easily when you shake the heads
Stage 3: Stored Seeds
After some storage time
- Color lightens to beige or grayish
- Most of the fluffy stuff falls off
- Surface becomes smoother
Growing Your Yarrow Seeds
Here’s my tried-and-true method for starting yarrow from seed:
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Sowing Time Options:
- Indoor start: 6-8 weeks before last frost
- Direct sowing: After last frost has passed
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Planting Tips
- Don’t bury them! They need light to germinate
- Just press them gently into the soil surface
- Keep soil moist but not waterlogged
- Optimal temp: 60-70°F
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What to Expect:
- Germination: 10-14 days (sometimes as quick as 2 days!)
- First leaves (cotyledons) look different from adult leaves
- True leaves appear around 2 weeks after sprouting
My Personal Experience with Yarrow Seedlings
I gotta tell ya, watching yarrow grow from seed is pretty exciting! Here’s what I’ve seen in my garden:
First Two Weeks
- Tiny sprouts pop up
- First leaves (cotyledons) are rounded
- Don’t freak out – these don’t look like adult yarrow yet!
Weeks 2-4
- Real yarrow leaves start showing up
- Leaves get those classic deep lobes
- Some varieties might show color (like my red ones did!)
Pro Tips for Success
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Collecting Seeds:
- Wait for brown seed heads
- Pop them in a paper bag upside down
- Give the bag occasional shakes
- Sieve out the debris
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Storage:
- Keep in airtight container
- Store in cool, dry spot
- They’ll stay good for 2-3 years
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t plant too deep – remember, they need light!
- Don’t worry when the first leaves die off – that’s normal
- Don’t overwater – yarrow likes it on the drier side
Wrapping It Up
Growing yarrow from seed isn’t rocket science, but it does take a bit of know-how. Once you know what to look for and how to handle these tiny seeds, you’ll be growing these beautiful plants like a pro!
Got more questions about yarrow seeds? Drop them in the comments – I love helping fellow gardeners succeed! And don’t forget to check back for updates as I document more of my yarrow growing adventures.
Remember, patience is key when growing from seed. But trust me, when those gorgeous flower clusters start blooming, it’s totally worth the wait!
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.
How to Collect and Extract Yarrow Seeds | Achillea Millefolium| Pollinator Garden | BirdofParadise
FAQ
Can I just scatter yarrow seeds?
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.
Is yarrow hard to grow from seed?
Growing yarrow from seed is generally considered easy. It’s a hardy plant that readily establishes itself and is often propagated through seeds, root division, or cuttings.
When to harvest common yarrow seeds?
Yarrow seed matures in summer/fall. Seed is ready to harvest when the flowers have dried brown. Store seeds in a cool, dry place for up to 2 years.