Cornell Farm Achillea millefolium Yarrow

While Yarrow is often cited for its natural insect-repelling properties, it is best viewed as a beneficial companion plant rather than a total pest solution. It attracts predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings that help manage aphid populations, providing a natural form of biological pest control.

Since Common Yarrow reaches a mature spread of 1 to 3 feet, you should space them at least 18 to 24 inches apart. This allows for adequate airflow, which helps prevent fungal issues and ensures the plants have enough room to establish their root systems.

No, it is a very low-maintenance perennial. Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant and generally only requires a simple cut-back after the initial bloom in early summer to encourage a tidy appearance or a potential second flush of growth.

Yes, Achillea millefolium is highly adaptable and hardy across zones 3 through 9. While it is native to the Pacific Northwest, it performs reliably in a wide range of climates throughout North America provided it receives the required full sun exposure.

Yarrow can be grown in containers, but you must ensure the pot has excellent drainage and is large enough to accommodate its root system. Because it prefers drier soil conditions, a container allows you to control moisture levels more precisely than in the ground.