How to Grow Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
German chamomile is a fragrant cool-season annual herb prized for its daisy-like flowers and calming properties. Gardeners grow it easily in gardens or containers to harvest fresh blooms for teas, tinctures, or culinary uses throughout the early growing season.
📷 Wikipedia: Matricaria chamomillaStarting Chamomile: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Chamomile is not usually started indoors.
Sow seeds directly into the garden rather than starting indoors, as this species is naturally short-lived and prefers being sown where it will grow.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose soil with a pH between 5.6 and 7.5 before sowing. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors two to six weeks before your last expected frost date. Press seeds lightly into the soil surface since they need light to germinate, then keep them moist. Expect sprouts in seven to fourteen days under these conditions.
Space plants six to twelve inches apart to ensure good air circulation and airflow. This low-growing herb does not require staking or trellising support. Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry slightly between sessions, especially since it tolerates drier conditions once established. Apply a light mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds without smothering the small plants.
Watch for aphids or powdery mildew, which you can prevent by ensuring good spacing and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest flowers when they are fully open but still firm, typically sixty to ninety days after sowing. Cut stems in the morning before the sun becomes too hot to preserve essential oils in the petals.
When to Plant Chamomile
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | August – September |
| Zone 3 | April – May | — | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | July – October |
| Zone 5 | March – April | — | June – October |
| Zone 6 | March – April | — | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | June – November |
| Zone 8 | February – March | — | May – December |
