Aleppo yarrow (Achillea aleppica)
Care, watering, light and tips for Aleppo yarrow on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Asteraceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 0–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Aleppo yarrow
Achillea aleppica, known as Yılan çiçeği in Turkish, is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, native to specific regions of the Middle East. It is distinguished by its finely divided, feathery-looking leaves and generally aromatic foliage. It produces flat-topped corymb inflorescences, composed of numerous small, typically bright yellow flowers, making it ideal for garden borders, rockeries, or as part of a pollinator garden.
Native range
Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon
Care tips
This Achillea thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours daily for optimal flowering. It is drought-tolerant once established, so watering should be moderate, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent waterlogging. It prefers well-drained soils, even poor or sandy ones; a common mistake is planting it in heavy, wet soils, which can lead to root rot. Deadheading spent flowers encourages a longer blooming period.
How to save a dying Aleppo yarrow
- Warning signs
- Yellow, soft basal leaves, drooping or rotting stems. Leaf spots or mold in humid conditions.
- First aid
- Remove spent flowers. For rot, cut affected stems and reduce watering. Ensure good drainage.
- What kills it
- Overwatering, especially in winter or heavy soils. Also too much shade or lack of pruning.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. It's hardy, but waterlogging is its biggest foe.