Flowers Mix Growing Guides

How to Grow German Chamomile

Direct Sowing Outdoors (Recommended)

German Chamomile is a fast-growing cool-season annual. It is easy to grow by direct sowing outdoors and produces daisy-like flowers that can be harvested for tea and herbal use.

• 1. Choose a Season
  Direct-sow outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Seeds tolerate light frost. In mild-winter regions, sow in fall for an early spring harvest.
• 2. Choose the Right Spot
  Choose a sunny location, or light afternoon shade in hot regions. Use well-drained soil. Chamomile thrives in poor to average ground, but avoid rich or waterlogged soil.
• 3. Prepare the Soil
  Loosen the top layer of soil and remove weeds, rocks, and debris. Rake the area smooth before sowing. Do not add heavy fertilizer, as chamomile performs well in average to poor soil.
• 4. Broadcast the Seeds
  Scatter seeds evenly over the planting area. For easier spreading, mix 1 part seed with 10 parts dry sand before broadcasting. Thin seedlings later so plants are spaced 6 to 8 inches apart.
• 5. Create Good Seed-to-Soil Contact
  Do not bury the seeds. Press them gently into the soil surface so they make firm contact but stay exposed to light. Chamomile needs light to germinate.
• 6. Water the Area
  Mist gently with a fine spray to settle the seeds. Keep soil consistently moist for 7 to 14 days until seedlings appear. Use a fine mist - a strong stream may wash the tiny seeds away.
• 7. Grow On and Harvest
  Once established, chamomile is fairly drought-tolerant and only needs moderate watering. Plants can grow up to 24 inches tall. Flowers are usually ready to harvest 6 to 8 weeks after sowing.

Starting Indoors (Alternative Method)

German Chamomile can also be started indoors for earlier harvests, especially in short-season areas.

• 1. Start Seeds Early
  Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last expected frost.
• 2. Surface Sow the Seeds
  Sprinkle seeds on the surface of a fine seed-starting mix and press them in gently. Do not cover the seeds, as chamomile needs light to germinate.
• 3. Keep Lightly Moist
  Mist gently and keep the growing medium consistently moist, but not soggy. Germination usually takes 7 to 14 days.
• 4. Provide Bright Light
  Once seedlings emerge, place them in bright light or under grow lights to keep plants strong and compact.
• 5. Transplant Outdoors
  Harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors. Plant after frost danger has passed, spacing plants 6 to 8 inches apart in a sunny, well-drained location.

Growing Tips

• German Chamomile is a cool-season annual and tolerates light frost.
• Choose full sun, or light afternoon shade in hot regions.
• Chamomile grows well in poor to average soil.
• Avoid rich or waterlogged soil.
• Seeds need light to germinate - press into the soil surface and do not bury.
• Mixing tiny seeds with dry sand helps spread them more evenly over a large area.
• Keep soil consistently moist during germination, usually 7 to 14 days.
• Use a fine mist when watering - a strong stream may wash the seeds away.
• Thin seedlings to 6 to 8 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.
• 0.5 oz covers up to 200 sq ft.
• Plants grow up to 24 inches tall.
• Flowers are usually ready to harvest 6 to 8 weeks after sowing.
• Harvest flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming.
• German Chamomile is an excellent companion plant for vegetable gardens.