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Science & Nature • Botany

Yarrow

Yarrow is the common name most often used for the flowering plant species Achillea millefolium in the daisy family (Asteraceae).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Yarrow is the common name most often used for the flowering plant species Achillea millefolium in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It is a hardy perennial with feathery leaves and flat-topped clusters of small flowers, and it is native across much of the Northern Hemisphere. The plant is widely grown as an ornamental and is also known for its long history of traditional medicinal use.

Description

Yarrow is an aromatic perennial herb with fern-like, finely cut leaves and clusters of small flowers that usually appear white in the wild. It typically grows to about 1 metre tall and has a hardy, spreading habit.

Distribution and habitat

The species has a circumboreal distribution and occurs across North America, Europe, and Asia. It grows in a wide range of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, roadsides, and disturbed ground.

Uses

Yarrow has been cultivated as an ornamental plant for gardens and pollinator plantings. It also has a long history of traditional medicinal use, including topical applications and herbal teas.

Taxonomy and naming

Yarrow is commonly identified as Achillea millefolium, a member of the family Asteraceae. The genus name is linked to Achilles, and the species epithet millefolium means 'a thousand leaves'.

Key facts

  • Yarrow is a flowering perennial in the daisy family.
  • Its leaves are finely divided and feathery, giving it a fern-like appearance.
  • The plant produces flat-topped clusters of many small flower heads.
  • Yarrow is native to much of the Northern Hemisphere and is widespread in North America, Europe, and Asia.
  • The species has a long history of traditional medicinal use among Indigenous peoples and in European herbal traditions.
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Canadian context

Yarrow is widespread across Canada and is familiar to Canadian gardeners, hikers, and naturalists as a hardy wildflower and ornamental perennial.

Frequently asked questions

What is yarrow?
Yarrow is a common name for Achillea millefolium, a perennial flowering plant in the daisy family.
What does yarrow look like?
It has finely divided, feathery leaves and flat-topped clusters of many small flowers, usually white in wild plants.
Where does yarrow grow naturally?
It is native across much of North America, Europe, and Asia and is widely distributed in temperate regions.
Is yarrow used in gardens?
Yes. Yarrow is widely grown as an ornamental and is valued in pollinator and cottage-style gardens.
Does yarrow have medicinal uses?
It has a long history of traditional medicinal use, though that does not necessarily mean all uses are scientifically proven.
Why is it called Achillea?
The genus name is traditionally linked to Achilles, who was said to have used the plant to treat wounds.

References

  1. USDA Forest Service — https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/achillea_millefolium.shtml
    Supports: Scientific name, family, morphology, flowering period, native range, ornamental and pollinator value, traditional uses, and etymology.
  2. NC State Extension — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/achillea/common-name/yarrow/
    Supports: Genus placement in Asteraceae, native regions, and naming association with Achilles.
  3. The Wildlife Trusts — https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/yarrow
    Supports: Plant description, habitat, flowering characteristics, and height.
  4. Missouri Department of Conservation — https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/common-yarrow-common-milfoil
    Supports: Scientific name, family, aromatic perennial habit, native range, and traditional medicinal use.