Yarrow Achillea 'Helios'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Achillea 'Helios', commonly known as Yarrow, is a plant known for its unique and eye-catching appearance. This perennial herb features feathery foliage that provides an almost fern-like texture. Its leaves are green, typically taking on a soft, silvery tint and are finely dissected, creating a delicate lacey look. The plant is crowned with clusters of small, tightly-packed flowers that present a bold and bright appearance. The flowers are usually a warm, golden yellow hue, radiating a sunny and cheerful vibe. These flower heads are composed of numerous tiny, individual blossoms that form a flat-topped or slightly rounded cluster, often referred to as a corymb. The overall look of the Yarrow is one that adds both texture and color to a garden setting, showcasing flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators while also being resilient and easy to care for.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Asteraceae
- Synonyms
  Yarrow, Milfoil
- Common names
  Achillea 'Helios'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Commonly known as Yarrow, Achillea 'Helios' is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, it may cause dermatitis in some individuals if they have a sensitivity to the plant. As for ingestion, there is little reported toxicity in humans, but it is still advised to avoid consuming it as it might cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some cases.
- To pets
  The common Yarrow can potentially cause increased salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia in pets if ingested. It is recommended to keep an eye on your pet and consult with a veterinarian if these symptoms appear after ingestion. The toxicity level is generally low, but it is best to prevent your pets from consuming the plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Yellow
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Spread
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  3-9
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts pollinators - Achillea 'Helios' provides nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
- Drought tolerance - Once established, it requires minimal watering and can thrive in dry conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Low maintenance - This perennial plant typically has a good resistance to pests and diseases, reducing the need for frequent care.
- Soil adaptability - It can grow in a variety of soil types, from clay to sandy soils, as long as they are well-drained.
- Erosion control - The robust root system of Achillea 'Helios' helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
- Long blooming period - It offers a lengthy season of color in the garden, typically blooming from early summer to early fall.
- Landscape versatility - This plant is suitable for borders, rock gardens, and as ground cover, offering design flexibility.
- Deer resistance - Achillea 'Helios' is not a preferred choice for deer, making it an excellent option for gardens in deer-prone areas.
- Easy to propagate - It can be easily propagated by division, allowing gardeners to create more plants from an existing patch.
Medical Properties
- Anti-inflammatory: Achillea 'Helios', like other yarrow species, may contain compounds that help reduce inflammation.
- Antiseptic: The plant has been used for its potential antiseptic properties, which might help prevent infections.
- Astringent: Yarrow has traditionally been used as an astringent, which can help in contracting skin cells and tissues.
- Hemostatic: It is known to have been used for its hemostatic properties, which can aid in stopping bleeding.
- Digestive aid: Yarrow may promote digestion and relieve gastrointestinal issues.
- Antispasmodic: The plant has been used to alleviate spasms, such as those in the intestines or muscles.
- Carminative: It is believed to help in expelling gas from the stomach or intestines, thereby relieving flatulence.
- Febrifuge: Yarrow has a history of use as a febrifuge, which is an agent that reduces fever.
- Diaphoretic: The plant may induce perspiration, helping in the reduction of fevers and cooling the body.
Please note that this list should not be taken as medical advice and that the effectiveness of these uses has not been confirmed by scientific studies up to the knowledge cutoff date. The safety and efficacy of using Achillea 'Helios' for medical purposes have not been established. Always consult with a healthcare provider before using any plant or herb for medicinal purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- The dried stems and flowers of yarrow can be used in the creation of natural dyes for fabrics, with hues ranging from yellow to green depending on the mordant used.
- Yarrow is often incorporated into compost heaps as it is believed to accelerate the breakdown of organic matter and enhance the overall compost quality.
- As a companion plant in the garden, yarrow attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies which help to control pest populations.
- Yarrow can be used in the making of potpourris due to its aromatic leaves and flowers, lending a pleasant fragrance to the mixture.
- The plant has been traditionally used to make handcrafted floral crowns or arrangements, especially during summer solstice celebrations.
- Yarrow is sometimes planted in orchards and vineyards to attract wasps that predate on fruit flies and other pest species.
- In permaculture practices, yarrow is used as a border plant to delineate spaces and provide microclimates within the garden.
- Its strong scented foliage can be placed among linens to repel moths and impart a fresh, herbal scent.
- When included in a wildlife garden, yarrow provides nectar for butterflies and other pollinators, contributing to biodiversity.
- Some crafters use the fern-like foliage of yarrow in pressed flower art, as they retain their form and color well.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Yarrow is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Yarrow is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Courage: The genus name "Achillea" is derived from the Greek hero Achilles, symbolizing bravery and courage in battle.
- Healing: Historically, yarrow has been used for its medicinal properties, representing healing and the relief of pain.
- Protection: Yarrow is often associated with warding off negative energies, providing a shield against evil and harm.
- Divination: In some cultures, yarrow has been used for divination and is believed to hold powers that help reveal one's path or fate.
- Love: Yarrow can symbolize lasting love and is sometimes used in wedding decorations to ensure a love that endures.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Not needed

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Yarrow should be watered deeply but infrequently, as it is a drought-tolerant plant that prefers well-drained soil. When first planted, ensure water reaches the root zone by providing about 1 gallon per plant each week. After establishment, yarrow generally requires water only during prolonged dry spells. Check the soil moisture and water if the top inch feels dry to the touch, which may mean watering approximately every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on weather conditions. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it is essential to let the soil dry out between watering sessions.
Light
Yarrow thrives best in full sun, which means it should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. A sunny spot in the garden with unobstructed light will encourage the most vigorous growth and abundant flowering. While it can tolerate some light shade, too much shade can make the plant leggy and reduce its blooms.
Temperature
Yarrow is a hardy plant that can withstand a range of temperatures but performs best in conditions between 65°F and 75°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to 0°F, making it suitable for many temperate climates. During the growing season, maintaining an average temperature within the ideal range will promote healthy growth and flowering.
Pruning
Yarrow should be pruned to remove spent flowers, which encourages a second bloom in the growing season. Prune or deadhead the flower heads back to the plant's base or to the next bud to promote new growth. Cut back the entire plant by about one-third to one-half in late fall or early spring to maintain a tidy appearance and stimulate healthy new foliage. Pruning is best done after the first flush of flowers has faded.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Yarrow 'Helios' thrives in well-draining soil with a pH range of 5.5-7.0. A mixture of garden soil, compost, and sharp sand or perlite is ideal, improving drainage and fertility. Mulch lightly to retain moisture while preventing root rot.
Repotting
Yarrow 'Helios' typically doesn't require frequent repotting and can thrive in the same spot for several years. Check for overcrowding every 2-3 years and repot in spring if necessary to refresh the soil and allow for growth.
Humidity & Misting
Yarrow 'Helios' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does well in average outdoor conditions. It doesn't require any special humidity adjustments when grown in its natural environment.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure full sun, good airflow, minimal watering.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil, and space plants.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Achillea 'Helios', commonly known as Yarrow 'Helios', starts its life cycle when seeds germinate in late winter to early spring, requiring light to aid in germination and typically sprouting in soil with good drainage. From the young seedling stage, the plant grows into a vegetative state with feathery foliage and develops a deep root system, which makes it drought-tolerant. During late spring to early summer, Yarrow 'Helios' enters the flowering stage, producing clusters of bright, yellow flowers that attract pollinators and can last until late summer or early fall. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed heads, which mature and disperse seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. In fall, the above-ground parts of the plant die back with the arrival of colder temperatures, while the root system remains dormant through the winter. The following spring, the plant may regrow from the existing root system for several years before the end of its life cycle, which can encompass a period of perennial growth and reseeding.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: The Achillea 'Helios', commonly known as Yarrow 'Helios', is most effectively propagated by division, which is best executed in the early spring or fall. To propagate the Yarrow 'Helios' through division, you would dig up a healthy, mature clump of the plant, making sure to include a generous amount of roots. The clump is then carefully broken apart into smaller sections, ensuring that each section has some of the root system attached. These divided parts can then be replanted at the same depth they were growing before, spacing them about 18 to 24 inches (approximately 45 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow for growth and air circulation. It's important to water the new divisions thoroughly after planting to establish them, and maintain consistent moisture as they acclimate and develop new roots in their locations.