German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Grow German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), a low-maintenance annual herb known for fragrant, daisy-like flowers perfect for herbal tea and cosmetics.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Matricaria recutita, widely known as German chamomile, is a celebrated annual aromatic herb prized globally for its soothing, fragrant flowers. Gardeners value this plant not just for its charming, daisy-like appearance, but primarily for the medicinal and culinary uses derived from its summer blooms, most famously used in calming herbal teas. This easy-to-cultivate species thrives in average, well-drained soils under full sun, making it an accessible addition to any herb patch or cottage garden border.
As a self-seeding plant, Matricaria recutita often returns year after year, naturalizing easily in open areas once established. It typically reaches heights between one and two feet, presenting feathery, aromatic foliage topped with white-rayed, yellow-centered flowers from June through August. Whether you seek practical harvests or simple, charming background texture, German chamomile offers significant value with minimal effort.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Annual
- Native Range: Europe, western Asia
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 2-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-2 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: June to August
- Bloom Description: White rays with yellow center disk
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Sow Matricaria recutita seeds directly into the garden just before the last spring frost date for mid-summer flowering. For an earlier harvest, start the seeds indoors in small pots six to eight weeks prior to the last frost date and transplant seedlings outside once the danger of frost is past. German chamomile prefers full sun but tolerates light shade, performing admirably even in poor or sandy soils, provided drainage is good.
While German chamomile thrives with minimal fuss—it tolerates dry to medium moisture levels and poor soils—regular moisture yields the best results. It requires very low maintenance; no complex feeding or pruning is usually necessary. Given its tendency to self-seed readily, these plants will often carry over from one season to the next, establishing naturalized patches around the garden unless spent blooms are removed before seed set.
If you prefer abundant blooms over continuous self-seeding, deadheading faded flowers will encourage continued blooming until the first hard frost arrives. Ensuring well-drained conditions is crucial, as consistently soggy soil can pose issues for this otherwise robust annual herb.
Landscape Uses
German chamomile is versatile, easily incorporated into diverse garden settings due to its modest height (1 to 2 feet) and airy texture. Use it as a fragrant border filler along paths where its low maintenance requirements shine, or plant it en masse for an informal cottage garden effect. Because the flowers are used medicinally and cosmetically, dedicated kitchen or herb gardens showcase Matricaria recutita perfectly.
Beyond its direct herbal applications, the foliage and flowers lend themselves well to culinary inclusions in fresh cheeses or fruit preparations. For cosmetic uses, the harvested flowers can be infused into floral waters or compresses. This highly useful annual, German chamomile, provides aesthetic charm while remaining a powerhouse of practical home remedies.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Matricaria recutita, commonly called German chamomile or sweet false chamomile, is an annual aromatic Eurasian herb that is commonly grown in herb gardens for harvest of its flowers which are principally used to make chamomile tea which is a mild sedative herbal drink recommended for a large number of applications including calming nerves, relaxing tense muscles, alleviating stress, dispelling insomnia and treating indigestion. This plant has escaped garden plantings and has naturalized in open areas and along roads in various parts of North America. It typically grows to 12-24” tall and to 12” wide on stems clad with aromatic but bitter tasting double pinnate leaves (to 3” long). For herbal use, harvest flowers when fully open.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Matricaria recutita generally exhibits resistance to serious insect or disease problems, contributing to its low maintenance rating. Gardeners should primarily focus on cultural needs, ensuring the plant is not situated in overly damp or poorly draining soil where root issues could arise. Due to its naturalized habit, monitoring its spreading via self-seeding may be necessary to prevent it from dominating less vigorous neighboring plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is German chamomile suitable for?
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 8.
How large does German chamomile grow?
At maturity, this plant typically achieves a height between 1 and 2 feet and spreads approximately 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
When does German chamomile bloom?
The showy bloom time for Matricaria recutita is typically from June to August, producing white rays with a distinct yellow center disk.
What sun exposure does German chamomile need?
This plant requires full sun exposure to thrive, although it can tolerate some light shade.
Conclusion
German chamomile offers significant appeal with its combination of low maintenance culture and highly valued aromatic flowers, making Matricaria recutita a worthwhile inclusion in any garden focused on utility and beauty. Evaluate your local hardiness zone and plan to sow seeds directly outdoors shortly before the last spring frost to ensure a wonderful summer harvest.
Companion Planting
When selecting neighbors for your Matricaria recutita, focus on plants that share similar needs for full sun and dry-to-medium moisture, avoiding those that require consistently rich, heavy soil. Its airy structure makes it an excellent textural contrast when planted near broad-leafed herbs like basil or dill which also enjoy full sun exposure in the herb garden. Consider planting it near sturdier, taller vegetables; the low-growing chamomile can soften the mulch line and fill in gaps naturally.
Design Ideas
Utilize the self-seeding nature of German chamomile strategically. Sow it sparingly along the edges of gravel paths or between flagstones where it provides pops of white and yellow color without interfering with foot traffic, leveraging rich drainage. Because it attracts beneficial predatory insects due to its flower structure, integrate clusters throughout vegetable rows to enhance overall garden health, rather than confining it strictly to formal herb beds.
