German Chamomile

Relax and rejuvenate with homegrown German Chamomile! This "star among medicinal species" originates from southern and eastern Europe and is celebrated for its calming and soothing properties. Its fragrant, daisy-like flowers are not only a charming addition to your garden but also a cherished ingredient for herbal teas, soothing tinctures, and aromatic potpourris. German Chamomile is highly favored in folk and traditional medicine and has been established in multi-therapeutic, cosmetic, and nutritional use and research since ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman times. German Chamomile is a taller, drought-tolerant annual with high chamazulene in comparison to Roman Chamomile. Whether a Chamomile tea-lover or essential oil-enthusiast, or in search of an excellent companion plant, German Chamomile is sure to cultivate a garden full of tranquility and fragrance.

Also Known As: English Chamomile, Garden Chamomile, True Chamomile, Manzanilla, Camomile, Whig Plant, Ground Apple, Scented Mayweed, Anthemis, Barnyard Daisy, Hungarian Chamomile, Kamilla, Wild Chamomile, Blue Chamomile.

Plant Name:	Chamomile, German
Latin Name:	Matricaria chamomilla
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Bloom:	65
Plant Height:	1 - 2 Feet
Spread:	12 -18 Inches
Bloom Diameter:	1/2 - 1 Inch
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	3-10
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting for cut flowers easier. Lay down 1/2"-3/4" peat moss, sawdust, or potting soil, the soil surface. This layer is beneficial for flower seeds because it can the improve the germination environment and prevent soil crusting.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: For earlier blooms, you may start planting Chamomile indoors in containers 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Sow Chamomile after all danger of frost has passed in Spring and the soil can be worked, about 2-3 weeks before the last frost. For Fall planting, plant in mid-summer, about 8-12 weeks before the first frost. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 12 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole, then cover thinly with soil. In small plots, flower seeds may be scattered and gently watered in. Once seedlings emerge, plants can be separated and spaced 12-18 inches apart to allow room for mature plants to spread and prevent overcrowding.

Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	12 inches	Between-Row Spacing:	2-3 feet

Care During the Season:

Harvest German Chamomile near the full bloom stage for the best quality - when they are fully open but before they begin to fade or turn brown. Plucking flowers with fingers or using devices such as pluck combs or comb shovels. Harvest flowers regularly throughout the growing season, as chamomile tends to bloom continuously. After harvesting, for long-term storage, dry Chamomile using heat at less than 100F within 2 hours of harvesting. Once completely dried, store the flowers in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to maintain their quality and aroma for later use as chamomile for teas, tinctures, etc.