Species German chamomile
bright-white, daisy-like flowers with yellow stamens and green, slender stems

German chamomile

Matricaria recutita

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is a perennial flowering herb native to Europe. It has small white flowers with yellow centers, and feathery, finely divided, aromatic foliage. The flowers are antispasmodic, carminative, and emmenagogue in nature, making it a useful remedy for many digestive complaints, menstrual cramps, stress relief, and insomnia. Chamomile also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and is used in teas, tinctures, and topical treatments. It’s also a popular ingredient in cosmetics, and its fragrant flowers are used to flavour food and beverages.

Cycle:

Annual

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 8

Flowers:

White rays with yellow center disk Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

When it comes to watering German chamomile (Matricaria recutita),you should water it thoroughly every 7 to 10 days, giving about 1.5 inches of water every time. During the summer months, water a bit more frequently, watering about every 7 days and using 2-3 inches of water each time. Be careful not to overwater, as this can kill the plant. The soil should feel moist, not soggy. Use your finger to test how moist the soil is near the roots. For best results, water your chamomile in the morning so that it has time to dry throughout the day.

sunlight

German chamomile is a biennial plant native to Europe, though it is cultivated all around the world. The plant needs full sun, between 6 and 8 hours per day, to grow properly and thrive. Chamomile prefers a warm and sunny climate, and should not be planted in shaded spots with less light throughout the day. For optimal growth and flowering, the plant needs plenty of sunlight throughout the spring and summer months. In autumn and winter, German chamomile can tolerate less light, as the days become shorter and the weather turns colder. It is important for the plant to receive the ideal amount of light during the day, as too much or too little can decrease its growth.

pruning

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) should be pruned twice a year, approximately 3 to 4 weeks before the start of spring and fall. This should be done before the plant begins to grow actively at the start of each season. Pruning should remove dead or damaged foliage first, as well as any stems that may have grown too far out of the desired shape. Also, flower heads should be cut off after blooming, as they will not produce any more flowers. Prune lightly to prevent over-stimulation of growth, since too much pruning can cause the plant to focus on fresh foliage and ignore bloom production.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

German chamomile typically starts flowering in May.

Hardiness Map