How to Care for a Yarrow Plant
- 1). Plant young yarrow plants in spring, 1 to 2 feet apart, depending on the size of the particular variety you are planting (follow recommended spacing on plant labels). Choose a sunny, dry spot.
- 2). Sow yarrow seeds either outdoors or indoors for later transplanting. Seeds germinate in two weeks outdoors, once temperatures reach 65 degrees F, or in one week indoors. Seeds need light to germinate, so lay them on the soil's surface.
- 3). Once they grow taller, stake stems of tall varieties so they are not knocked over by wind and rain. (Choose shorter varieties if you don't want to bother with staking.) Slide stakes into the ground next to the plant, and tie the stem to the stake with string, twist-ties or old nylon stockings. Use a figure-eight shape to keep the plant stem from actually touching the stake.
- 4). Their first year in the ground, provide young yarrow plants or seedlings with extra watering in times of low rainfall (less than 1 inch a week). By their second year, yarrow should not need extra watering, and may actually be harmed by over-watering, as established yarrow plants prefer dry conditions.
- 5). Divide yarrow plants every three or four years as new growth begins in spring. Lift plants from the ground, divide them into clumps and replant. This helps keep plants vigorous.
- 6). After the first severe frost, cut stems back to 1 or 2 inches above the soil.