German Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Also listed as Chamomilla chamomilla, Chamomilla recutita
Also known as Chamomile, German Camomile, Wild Chamomile
Climate Match for your location
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German Chamomile is a delicate, feathery-leaved annual to short-lived perennial with small white and yellow daisy-like flowers prized for herbal tea and traditional medicine. It self-seeds readily and thrives in poor soils, making it an excellent addition to medicinal gardens and pollinator-supporting landscapes.
Why grow it
German chamomile distinguishes itself from Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) through faster growth, easier cultivation in average to poor soils, and greater self-seeding vigor. Its annual to short-lived perennial habit makes it useful for quick establishment in newly prepared garden beds without requiring replanting annually. The plant's prolific flowering and reliable seed production support both herbal production and pollinator forage with minimal intervention.
Watch out for
Self-seeding can lead to volunteer plants in subsequent seasons if flowers are allowed to mature unchecked, requiring deadheading if containment is desired. Excessive nitrogen in soil may promote leafy growth at the expense of flowering, contrary to typical garden fertility practices. In humid climates, dense planting or poor air circulation can increase susceptibility to fungal issues.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
Central and Eastern Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
German Chamomile is a delicate, feathery-leaved annual to short-lived perennial with small white and yellow daisy-like flowers prized for herbal tea and traditional medicine. It self-seeds readily and thrives in poor soils, making it an excellent addition to medicinal gardens and pollinator-supporting landscapes.
Climate Match for your location
See how well German Chamomile grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
German chamomile distinguishes itself from Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) through faster growth, easier cultivation in average to poor soils, and greater self-seeding vigor. Its annual to short-lived perennial habit makes it useful for quick establishment in newly prepared garden beds without requiring replanting annually. The plant's prolific flowering and reliable seed production support both herbal production and pollinator forage with minimal intervention.
Watch out for
Self-seeding can lead to volunteer plants in subsequent seasons if flowers are allowed to mature unchecked, requiring deadheading if containment is desired. Excessive nitrogen in soil may promote leafy growth at the expense of flowering, contrary to typical garden fertility practices. In humid climates, dense planting or poor air circulation can increase susceptibility to fungal issues.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
Central and Eastern Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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