German Chamomile Seeds

German Chamomile Dried Herb & Tea Heirloom Seeds
Matricaria recutita
Listing is for 1 packet which is a scoop of a lot of seeds, at minimum 50 seeds

I love growing my own chamomile to dry the fragrant flowers to make my a calming tea. I harvest the flowers as soon as the petals are fully opened. The flowers are very fragrant reminiscent of fruity apples. I place picked flowers on a paper plate to dry for a few weeks before storing. Annual flower. 

There are two types of chamomile, German and Roman. German is an annual and has a branching out habit. Plants get taller at about 24 inches. Roam chamomile is a perennial and grows more bushy and compact staying at about 12 inches tall. Both are used in the same way and have similar fruit apple fragrance.

Follow me on social media because I talk a lot about the same seed varieties I sell here in my shop and gardening tips. IG, YT, and TikTok: jerrasgarden.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Sun: Chamomile likes full sun but in areas with extreme heat, its best to plant them in a spot that gets bright morning sun with some afternoon shade. 

Water: Allow the soil to dry out a little bit in-between watering.

Soil: Anything grows great in soil rich in organic matter, but chamomile is a wild flower so it doesn't need the best of soil to thrive. It does need soil that has good drainage because it is  susceptible to root rot. 

Fertilizer: Do not fertilize chamomile as this will encourage lots of leafy growth instead of flowers. 

When & How To Sow Seeds: For a spring crop, direct sow seeds after your last spring frost date. For a fall crop, or if you are located in a mild winter climate, direct sow seeds when you start planting your fall garden, or at minimum 4 months before your first winter frost date. To direct sow, sprinkle a few seeds over the soil surface in a sunny location because these seeds require light to germinate. Press the seeds down so they make contact with the soil and gentltly water them in. 

Germination: 10-14 days

Days To Maturity: Around 2-3 months after direct sowing the seed

How & When To Harvest: For the best chamomile harvest, pick flowers daily in the morning after the dew dries, when petals are fully open and flat. Pinch just below the flower head, avoiding the stems to prevent bitterness in your tea. Frequent harvesting encourages more blooms, while letting flowers go to seed signals the plant to stop producing. With regular picking, you can enjoy a harvest lasting several weeks or even months.

Common Diseases: Chamomile also doesn't have too many disease issues. But in humid or wet conditions they can get leaf spot, powdery mildew, or anthracnose. Spray with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water on the stems and leaves below the flowers to clean and disinfect. 

Common Pests: Chamomile generally has few pest problems, with aphids being the most common due to its tender leaves. A small aphid presence is usually fine and can even attract beneficial insects like ladybugs. However, if new growth wilts or flower stems droop from heavy infestations, treatment is needed. Since the flowers are harvested for tea, avoid spraying them directly—first harvest the blooms, then hose off aphids and apply insecticidal soap only to the stems. Alternatively, plant plenty of chamomile to ensure a good harvest, as you'll need many flowers if you're aiming to dry enough for long-term use.

🎥Watch my video tutorial on how to grow chamomile from seed to harvest: https://youtu.be/CNCw7z_KjE4