How to Grow German Chamomile
iNaturalist
German Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
herbGerman chamomile is a delicate annual herb with feathery foliage and small, daisy-like white and yellow flowers that bloom prolifically throughout the growing season. Known for its calming properties and use in teas, this self-seeding herb is easy to grow and attracts beneficial pollinators to the garden.
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Example German Chamomile timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant German Chamomile
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest German Chamomile
Around May 27≈ 40 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact German Chamomile dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; prefers cooler weather and can be grown as a winter annual in warm climates
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Germination & Seedling
7-14 daysTiny seedlings emerge with thread-like cotyledons and first true leaves appearing delicate and feathery. Plants are 1-2 inches tall.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright indirect light indoors. Maintain 65-70°F for best germination. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once 2-3 true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with increasingly feathery, finely divided leaves. Height reaches 12-18 inches with branching stems forming a mounded shape.
Water regularly to maintain moderate moisture. Apply light fertilizer every 3-4 weeks or use balanced organic fertilizer monthly. Pinch back stem tips to encourage bushier growth if desired.
Budding & Early Flowering
2-3 weeksFlower buds form on branch tips, developing into small button-like structures before opening into classic daisy-like flowers with white ray petals and yellow centers.
Continue regular watering. Support tall or straggly plants with stakes if needed. Begin harvesting leaves and early flowers for tea.
Peak Flowering & Harvest
4-6 weeksPlant covered in numerous open flowers at various stages of bloom. Flowers are most fragrant and medicinally potent at this stage. Plant height 18-24 inches.
Harvest flowers in early morning after dew dries for best flavor and medicinal potency. Regular harvesting encourages continued flowering. Keep soil consistently moist during warm weather.
Seed Production & End of Season
2-4 weeksFlowers fade and develop small seed heads that dry on the plant. Foliage may decline in quality as plant energy shifts to seed production. Seeds ready for collection when heads turn brown.
Allow some flowers to remain on plant for seed collection if desired. Cut dried seed heads and store for next year's planting. Plant naturally self-seeds if flowers are left unharvested.
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap for severe infestations. Increase humidity around plants.
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Spray with strong water stream or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
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Use sticky yellow traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly. Spray with sulfur dust or baking soda solution. Remove affected leaves.
Uses
Herbal tea & beverages
CulinaryDried chamomile flowers make a soothing, slightly apple-scented tea with mild sweetness. Fresh or dried flowers can also be used to infuse honey, create flavored waters, or blend with other herbs for medicinal tea blends. [source]
Relaxation & sleep support
MedicinalChamomile flowers contain apigenin and other compounds traditionally used to promote relaxation, ease anxiety, and support sleep quality. The herb is commonly consumed as a tea or supplement for these calming properties. [source]
Digestive & anti-inflammatory support
MedicinalGerman chamomile has been used traditionally to soothe digestive discomfort, reduce inflammation, and support overall digestive health. The flowers contain compounds like bisabolol that provide gentle anti-inflammatory effects. [source]
Skin care & botanical extracts
HouseholdChamomile infusions and extracts are used in natural skincare products, soothing balms, and washes for irritated or sensitive skin. The flowers can be infused into oils or made into poultices for topical application. [source]
Pollinator & beneficial insect support
WildlifeChamomile flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while also providing habitat for beneficial insects. The prolific blooms make it an excellent nectar source throughout the growing season. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest flowers when fully open but before they begin to age and fade; morning after dew dries is ideal for best potency. Pinch or cut individual flowers, or cut entire flowering stems and hang dry. Harvest leaves anytime during the growing season, preferably in early morning. For maximum medicinal benefit, harvest flowers at peak bloom. Plants self-seed readily, so allow a few flowers to mature and drop seeds for next season's crop.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 German chamomile is an annual that readily self-seeds, often reappearing voluntarily year after year in the same garden location without replanting.
- 🌱 The name 'chamomile' comes from Greek words meaning 'ground apple' (chamaimélon), referring to the apple-like scent of the plant and flowers.
- 🌱 Chamomile has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years, with ancient Egyptian physicians documenting its use and the herb remaining one of the most popular herbal teas worldwide today.
Gardening Terms
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