Samphire yarrow
Achillea crithmifolia · Asteraceae
📷 Karelj · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant samphire yarrow: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Form
- Perennial herbaceous plant
- Foliage
- Evergreen, finely cut
- Flowering
- June to August, yellow flowers in umbels
- Mature size
- 40 cm in height
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Water requirements
- Low, xerophytic plant
- Hardiness
- Excellent, tolerates cold
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Achillea crithmifolia loves full sun and poor to average soils—no need for heavy feeding.
The common mistake
Over-fertilizing or watering regularly produces weak, sparse foliage and leads to winter rot.
The pro's trick
Pinch back young stems in spring (April) to encourage branching and boost flowering.
Care
Exposure
Yarrow with Glasswort foliage requires full sun to thrive fully. A well-sunny location guarantees generous flowering and compact, vigorous foliage. Avoid partially shaded areas that would slow growth.
Watering
This yarrow tolerates drought very well once established. Water moderately for the first few weeks after planting to promote rooting, then gradually reduce. In temperate climates, natural rainfall is often sufficient; water only if the soil remains dry for more than a week during the growing season.
Soil
Well-drained soil is essential to prevent root rot. This plant prefers poor, rocky terrain, such as rockeries or chalky soil. Improve heavy soil with sand or gravel to ensure optimal drainage.
Pruning and cutting
Remove faded flowers regularly to extend flowering until September. In late winter or early spring, lightly cut back worn foliage to rejuvenate the clump. Light pruning is sufficient; this naturally compact plant needs little maintenance.
Fertilizing
Yarrow with Glasswort foliage does not require regular fertilizer. A very light application in spring is enough, or even a coarse mulch. Soil that is too rich promotes soft foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
This yarrow is naturally robust and rarely affected by disease. Be especially vigilant against powdery mildew in case of stagnant humidity: improve ventilation and drainage. Pests generally spare it.
Did you know?
Yarrow takes its name from the Greek hero Achilles: according to legend, the plant was used to heal the wounds of Trojan warriors. Its species crithmifolia refers to the resemblance of its finely cut foliage to that of Glasswort, a halophytic plant found on Mediterranean coasts.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SunflowerHelianthus annuus
- YarrowAchillea millefolium
- Ox-eye daisyLeucanthemum vulgare
- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.