German Chamomile
Item Details
Native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, chamomile has foliage and flowers with such a pleasant fragrance that for centuries these plants have been allowed to self-sow along the edges of paths and walkways where their fragrance can be enjoyed. This herb’s graceful plants are 12-20" tall with endless maSeed Savers Exchanges of 1" attractive, daisy-like flowers that can be used to make tea.
- Conventional
- Annual plant
- Plants grow to 12-20 inches tall
- Fragrant, daisy-like flowers grow to 1 inch
Growing Instructions
Instructions - Sow seeds indoors on surface of soil. Transplant outdoors in early spring just before last frost. Chamomile prefers well-drained sandy soil and self-sows freely.
- Start Indoors: 8-10 weeks before last frost
- Germination: 7-14 Days
- Plant Outdoors: 8” Apart
- Light: Sun/Partial Shade
Ratings & Reviews
3 reviews
Self-seeding is it's superpower
by Aaron Y.
I planted this in zone 5b last year (2020) for the purpose of making tea. Well, I never made the tea but I enjoyed the flowers. However, I decided to write a review because I am amazed at how well it self seeded. I have one plant in the ground about to flower and two pots that are carpeted with new plants. I plan on getting a lot of tea this year
Put it in a nursery pot on top of soil at your own risk
by Don’t believe they’re annual
1) Diatomaceous earth (food grade type) helps to organic grow this where aphids are a problem. You must reapply it after heavy rains.
2) Needs divided after the first year, which benefits the bushy plant, which needs airflow between each plant.
3) It self-reseeds by air and rhizomes. I had to prevent it from creeping into my neighbor’s yard.
It is more perennial in my Ohio yard than Roman chamomile and a whole lot prettier to grow. It’s frequented by moths, tiny bees and I think even flies, so that’s why once cut it gets hot water washed before I dry any of it in a mesh hanging rack.
I went to move a nursery pot of this once in my little flower garden, and realized I couldn’t (my chamomile had sent rhizomes out though the bottom holes). I nearly killed plants of it to fix that issue.
Great seeds for flowers and tea!
by June
These grew tremendously for me (zone 5, full sun), and I'm now totally enamored with growing chamomile for tea. But they also make a lovely, delicate addition to my wildflower garden. I can't comment on self-seeding because we moved to a new house this past spring, and the folks who bought our old place didn't maintain our extensive gardens. :(