German, Chamomile Seeds

German Chamomile Seed

Apple-scented flowers make a classic homegrown tea
Airy annual plants produce masses of white daisies
Surface-sown seed needs light for reliable germination
Drought-tolerant plants readily reseed in favorable gardens

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Matricaria chamomilla

Days to maturity

60 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

500 Seeds

About German, Chamomile Seed, Chamomile Seed

German Chamomile seeds—also known as Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria recutita, or simply “true chamomile”—come from an herb long treasured in Europe and the Middle East for its soothing aroma and medicinal teas, with use dating back to ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman times. Plants grown from these seeds are airy and delicate, producing feathery foliage and masses of small, daisy-like white flowers with cheerful yellow centers that release a sweet apple-like fragrance when brushed.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

Top of Soil

Days to Germination

7–14 days

Germination Type

D - Surface Sow

In-row plant spacing

8-12"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

18 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

190,000

Color

White, Yellow

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Growing Season

Cool-Season Crop

Before Planting

A successful Chamomile planting begins with a full-sun to lightly shaded site with fertile, well-drained soil that retains moderate moisture. Work compost into the bed and prepare a fine, weed-free surface for the usually small seed. Plan convenient irrigation, and use containers or barriers before planting if chamomile may spread aggressively.

Planting

Sow chamomile indoors several weeks before the last frost or direct sow when the crop’s preferred soil temperature is reached. Maintain even surface moisture through germination, especially for fine or slow seed. Give indoor seedlings strong light, harden them before transplanting, and thin direct-sown plants after true leaves appear. Repeat sowings where young leaves are harvested continuously.

Watering

Chamomile grows best with even moisture. Water deeply during dry periods, allowing only slight surface drying between applications, and ensure containers or beds drain freely.

Fertilizer

Chamomile benefits from moderate feeding when repeatedly harvested. Apply diluted balanced fertilizer or compost between cuttings, following label rates and avoiding soluble-salt buildup.

Harvesting

Clip chamomile during the cool morning when foliage is dry and aromatic oils are concentrated. Harvest leaves before full bloom, leaving enough healthy growth for the plant to recover.

Tips

Grow extra chamomile plants for succession harvests and pinch stems above leaf nodes. Allow a few flowers for pollinators or seed, but remove the rest to preserve leaf quality.

Pests & Diseases

Chamomile may develop powdery mildew, Botrytis, damping-off, or fungal leaf spots, especially when self-sown plants become crowded. Harvest flowers frequently and remove declining stems instead of letting humid debris accumulate. Use clean propagation media, thin seedlings early, and discard moldy flower heads rather than drying them for tea.

Monitor chamomile for aphids, mites, whiteflies, leafminers, and slugs. Remove badly infested stems, maintain weed control, and select treatments labeled for edible herbs when intervention is necessary.