If you’ve spent time in your yard, near a greenway, or on the edge of a garden bed, you may have seen yarrow and not even realized it. With its soft, feathered leaves and clusters of white, blush, or deep pink flowers, yarrow is one of those quietly resilient wildflowers that grows without invitation and quickly becomes a favorite.
Here at Caney Fork Farms, yarrow is part of our food forest and market garden, nestled among other flowering plants that feed our bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. While we don’t grow or sell yarrow, we love having it around. It adds biodiversity, brings bursts of unexpected color, and reminds us of nature’s long-standing partnership with land and people.
What Is Yarrow?
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial herb that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Its name comes from the myth of Achilles, who reportedly used the plant to treat wounds on the battlefield. Historically, yarrow has been used to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and even stop bleeding.
While we don’t offer medical advice and don’t sell any yarrow products, some of our staff have taken notice of the plant growing around the farm and harvested it for personal use at home. Once you know what it looks like, you can do the same — responsibly and with confidence.
How to Identify Yarrow
Yarrow typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall with distinctive traits:
- Flat-topped clusters of small flowers
- Five-petaled blooms in white, pale pink, or deep magenta
- Aromatic, fern-like foliage
Here’s a visual guide to help you ID yarrow:
A common source of confusion is Queen Anne’s lace, which can look similar at first glance. However, Queen Anne’s lace has an umbrella-shaped flower head, coarse leaves, and often features a single dark purple flower in the center of the bloom. Yarrow’s blooms are flatter and more densely clustered.
To compare the two in more detail, check out this helpful guide from Unruly Gardening:
👉 How to Tell the Difference Between Yarrow and Queen Anne’s Lace
Why We Appreciate It on the Farm
It supports biodiversity by attracting pollinators and predatory insects, and its deep roots help loosen soil and prevent erosion. It’s a tough plant, and yet its flowers bring softness and beauty to the garden.
This natural resilience is part of what makes yarrow so special. It thrives without much fuss, adds value to ecosystems, and has centuries of healing lore behind it.
How to Use Yarrow at Home
If you find yarrow growing in your yard or garden and are confident in your identification, here are a few simple ways to use it:
🍵Yarrow Tea
Dry the flower heads and steep in hot water, optionally with mint or lemon balm. Traditionally used to support digestion and help with colds or fevers.
🛁Herbal Bath Soak
Toss a few dried sprigs into a warm bath to soothe your skin and unwind.
🕯️DIY Salves or Oils
Infuse dried yarrow in olive oil and use it as a base for salves that may help with minor scrapes, bug bites, or inflammation.
🪰Natural Bug Repellent
Crushed yarrow leaves are used in some folk traditions as a natural way to deter mosquitoes.
💐Dried Floral Arrangements
Yarrow holds its shape and color beautifully when dried, making it a great addition to bouquets or wreaths.
A Simple, Powerful Plant
Sometimes the most valuable plants are the ones growing right under our noses. Yarrow might not come from a nursery or garden catalog, but it brings beauty, history, and purpose to any space it grows. At Caney Fork Farms, it’s one of the many quiet reminders that biodiversity and wellness often go hand in hand — even when they arrive uninvited.