German (Matricaria recutita)
Also known as: Matricaria chamomilla · Wild chamomile
What's special about German (Matricaria recutita)
Upright annual to 24 in — the true tea chamomile with apple-scented daisy flowers. Self-seeds vigorously.
Growing this variety
German (Matricaria recutita) follows the same growing basics as Chamomile. Variety-specific maturity above; everything else below applies to the whole Chamomile family.
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Sprinkle tiny seed onto damp mix — do not cover. Mist to settle. Once true leaves form, thin ruthlessly. Harvest flower heads when petals are just beginning to reflex back — pluck daily to keep the plant blooming.
Grower's tip
German chamomile is the classic tea species and reseeds itself. Roman chamomile is a low-growing perennial mat, good for fragrant paths.
Soil preferences
Light, well-drained loam. Most culinary herbs suffer in soggy soil.
6.0–7.5 (neutral)
A single fork of finished compost at planting is plenty — over-feeding weakens flavor.
Watering
Consistent moisture while young; let the top inch dry between waterings once established.
Water at the base in the morning to keep leaves dry and prevent mildew.
Overwatered: yellow lower leaves, damp-smelling soil, wilt that doesn't rebound. Underwatered: crispy tips, purple stems, sudden bolting.
Either works — Top-water established plants at the soil line in the morning. Bottom-water seed trays and small pots until roots fill the container.
Temperature tolerance
65–85°F (18–29°C) ideal
55–65°F (13–18°C)
Most annual herbs are frost-tender; perennial herbs (sage, thyme, oregano, mint) tolerate frost once established.
Container growing
Yes — great in containers
6–10 in (15–25 cm) wide, minimum 6 in deep
Herbs thrive in pots — group by water needs (Mediterranean herbs on the drier side, basil/parsley/cilantro on the wetter).
Succession planting
Sow leafy herbs (basil, cilantro, dill, parsley) every 3–4 weeks for a steady supply.
Detailed harvesting
Pinch or snip stems just above a leaf pair — never strip a plant of more than one third at a time. Harvest before flowering for peak flavor.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Air-dry small bundles upside-down in a dark airy spot, or freeze chopped in olive oil in ice-cube trays. Store dried leaves whole in a jar; crush just before use.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Culinary flavoring — fresh in salads and finishing, dried in slow cooks and rubs. Many herbs (basil, mint, chamomile) also infuse oils, vinegars, or teas.
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Mostly insect-pollinated; some (basil, mint) self-pollinate.
Isolate different varieties of the same species by 150 ft or cage/bag flower heads to keep strains true.
Let one plant flower fully; harvest brown, dry seed heads into a paper bag; rub free and store dry.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for chamomile in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
My German (Matricaria recutita) Chamomile notes
German (Matricaria recutita) Chamomile seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
From your kitchen — grow chamomile from what you already have
Most annual and biennial herbs give seed if you stop harvesting one plant and let it flower.
- 1Choose your best-flavored, latest-to-bolt plant to be the seed parent.
- 2Let it flower, then wait for the seed heads to dry brown and papery on the plant.
- 3Cut whole stems into a paper bag before they shatter.
- 4Rub or crumble the heads to release seed; sieve out the chaff and store dry in an envelope.
Storage: Most herb seed stays viable 2–4 years dry.
Order more seeds
Running low? Reorder from one of these seed stores.
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Other Chamomile varieties
Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)
90 daysLow-growing perennial 6–12 in tall. Fragrant ground cover; edible flowers but less used for tea.
Bodegold
65 daysImproved German strain with larger flowers and higher essential-oil content. Commercial tea favorite.
German Chamomile
Annual chamomile grown for tea — apple-scented flowers, easy from seed.