Not Basil, Not Cilantro: The Beautiful, Daisy-Like Herb With Flowers

When most people think of an herb garden, they likely picture the typical leafy lineup — something similar to basil, cilantro, parsley, and rosemary. Grown almost entirely for their flavorful foliage, these plants usually don't get the chance to bloom. In fact, some gardeners even pinch off the flowers. While this keeps the leaves tender, it doesn't do much for the aesthetic of your space — or for visiting pollinators. If you'd rather grow an herb that brings just as much flowering beauty as it does leafy usefulness, try Achillea ageratum, known commonly as sweet yarrow, sweet Nancy, or English mace. It's the overachiever you've probably never heard of, and proves there's room in a garden for a culinary herb that's just as pretty as any flowering perennial.

This Mediterranean native perennial has tiny clusters of cheery, daisy-like flowers that add a cottage vibe to boring herb gardens. Achillea ageratum is in the daisy family and it thrives in subtropical climates, handling a variety of growing conditions like a champ. Unlike many herbs that tend to fade into the background, sweet yarrow makes a visual statement. During summer, this pretty plant bursts with sunshine yellow flowers. Sit back and watch a flurry of bees and butterflies arrive in your yard. Beyond its bright blooms, Achillea ageratum is a tasty herb that adds oodles of flavor to dishes. Although there are many yarrow varieties that add stunning perennial color to gardens, this hardy perennial is the one to grow alongside basil and cilantro for more diversity.

While basil and cilantro will always be a permanent fixture in herb gardens, they're not the only options. Sure, there are plenty of ways to grow basil so you have a never-ending supply fresh from the garden, but it can get persnickety in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Achillea ageratum, on the other hand, is hardier, more forgiving, and arguably easier to grow. This stunning perennial thrives in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 9 and prefers higher humidity than most Mediterranean herbs. The sweet spot sits between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Do you know how often you should be watering a peace lily for a healthier houseplant? Oddly, this works as a guide for watering Achillea ageratum, too.

Although it's drought-tolerant once established, like most yarrow varieties, if the soil is dry, it's time to give your thirsty herb a drink. Feeling the soil with a finger is the easiest way to determine if watering is required. This refreshing basil and cilantro alternative needs bright, direct sunlight for at least six hours a day to grow into its best self. It prefers sandy or rocky soils with good drainage. In addition to its aromatic, edible leaves, Achillea ageratum adds ornament to herb gardens, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, and rocky slopes. It's tall, reaching heights of about 2 feet, so it's best as a backdrop to ground cover borders in garden beds. You can also cut the blooms and bring them indoors — they survive well in vases and bouquets.