Photo: Botanischer Garten TU DarmstadtCC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Achillea inodora Plant Care
Athanasia annua (L.) L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's delicate fern-like leaves are its most distinctive feature, hailing from the mountains of South Africa. Plant collectors are drawn to Athanasia annua for its drought tolerance and ability to attract pollinators with its fragrant blooms.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Achillea inodora?
Water Achillea inodora every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Achillea inodora Native To?
What Is the Achillea inodora?
Achillea inodora (Athanasia annua) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Athanasia genus. Achillea inodora is native to Italy, France, Germany, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Achillea inodora is also known as Athanasia annua, Lonas inodora, Lonas minima.
Achillea inodora displays a compact, mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Achillea inodora produces small daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Achillea inodora?
Athanasia annua requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Achillea inodora Need?
Achillea inodora thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Achillea inodora Prefer?
Athanasia annua grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Achillea inodora prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Achillea inodora?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Achillea inodora to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Achillea inodora?
Feed Achillea inodora every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Achillea inodora?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Achillea inodora?
Achillea inodora can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to athanasia grandiceps plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Achillea inodora Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Achillea inodora, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Achillea inodora?
Achillea inodora is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Achillea inodora Need?
Achillea inodora grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Achillea inodora is native to Italy, France, Germany, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Achillea inodora is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Athanasia genus — compare its care with other Athanasia species on PlantoScan.
Athanasia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Achillea inodora thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Athanasia annua (L.) L., family Asteraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. ed. 2 2: 1182 (1763)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Achillea inodora, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Botanischer Garten TU Darmstadt, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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