Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Achillea millefolium
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

common yarrow

A spreading native wildflower with narrow, aromatic, very finely divided leaves and flat heads of small, white, cream or pink flowers in summer

Other common names
devil's nettle
hundred-leaved grass
see morelace plant
milfoil
nose pepper
nosebleed
old man's pepper
sanguinary
savory tea
soldier's woundwort
thousand weed
thousand-leaf
thousand-seal
milddail
Synonyms
Achillea pratensis
Achillea millefolium var. nigrescens
see moreAchillea ambigua Poll.
Achillea millefolium white
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Cream Pink Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Achillea can be mat-forming or upright perennials, mostly herbaceous, with sometimes aromatic, pinnately divided or simple and toothed leaves and flattened clusters of small, daisy-like flower-heads

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Europe to W Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Suitable for growing in a sunny situation in the wild garden, rock garden or flower-rich lawn where it can support over 100 species of insect. Good for cutting and drying. Spreads readily and may be unwelcome in fine lawns. See yarrow for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in the spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.