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Matricaria chamomilla

German Chamomile

Asteraceae

Southern and eastern Europe and western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Matricaria chamomilla is an aromatic annual 6-24 inches (15-60 cm) tall, with branching, mostly hairless stems and finely dissected, feathery leaves divided into thread-like segments. From late spring into autumn it produces daisy-like flower heads about 0.6-1 inch (15-25 mm) across, each with 10-20 white ray florets surrounding a domed yellow disc. The disc is hollow and conical, a trait separating it from related daisies, and the white rays bend downward as the head ages. Crushed foliage and flowers release a sweet, apple-like scent from the volatile oils used in herbal preparations. Plants flower within 6-8 weeks of germination and set abundant tiny seed, completing their cycle in one season. Self-sown seedlings often carry a planting from year to year. Growth is rapid in open, sunny ground, and stems can flop in rich soils or shade. The species germinates in spring or autumn and tolerates poor, dry soils.

Native Range

Native to southern and eastern Europe and western Asia, and naturalised across temperate regions worldwide. It grows on open, disturbed ground including arable fields, roadsides, waste places, and field margins, mostly on light, well-drained soils at low elevations.

Suggested Uses

Grown in herb gardens, cottage borders, and wildflower or pollinator plantings, and cultivated for flower heads used in herbal teas and essential oil, sown or thinned to 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) apart. Suited to open, sunny ground and raised herb beds rather than shade. Flowers draw bees, hoverflies, and other small pollinators.

How to Identify

Identified by finely dissected, thread-like foliage and daisy heads with white rays around a hollow, conical yellow disc. Splitting the disc lengthwise shows the hollow centre, which separates it from scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum), which has a solid disc. The whole plant smells of apples when crushed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 2'

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers from May to September, with the heaviest bloom in June and July. Each head lasts 2-3 weeks, and successive heads keep a plant in bloom for 8-12 weeks. In hot, dry summers flowering finishes earlier as plants set seed and die.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white with yellow center

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.6 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on light, free-draining soils and tolerates poor, dry, sandy ground. It is sown from seed in spring or autumn, scattered on the surface and left uncovered because light aids germination, then thinned to about 6 inches (15 cm) apart. Plants need no feeding, and rich soils produce soft growth that flops. Watering helps only during prolonged drought before flowering. Self-seeding maintains a stand, and removing some seedheads limits spread. Aphids may gather on stems but seldom cause harm, and plants are pulled and composted once flowering and seeding finish.

Pruning

No structural pruning is needed. Flower heads are picked or sheared through summer for drying, which also prolongs blooming by delaying seed set. Spent plants are pulled at the end of the season once seed has shed.