German Chamomile Seeds | Matricaria recutita | Calming Tea Herb | Self-Seeding | Open-Pollinated | Zones 4–9

German Chamomile Seeds – Matricaria recutita | The World’s Premier Calming Tea Herb

German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is one of the most beloved and widely used medicinal herbs in the world — celebrated for its delicate, apple-scented white daisy flowers that brew into a soothing, calming herbal tea prized across cultures for thousands of years. Easy to grow, prolific, and self-seeding, German Chamomile is an essential addition to any herb garden where wellness and ornamental beauty go hand in hand. Fine-branched stems carry masses of small white-and-yellow flowers that bloom continuously through the season — the more you harvest, the more they bloom. Open-pollinated garden herb, untreated, non-GMO.

Why Grow German Chamomile

• World’s premier calming tea herb: Tiny white daisy flowers dry beautifully and brew into a sweet, apple-scented tea renowned for promoting relaxation, easing anxiety, and supporting restful sleep
• Airy, delicate garden beauty: Masses of white-and-yellow daisy blooms on fine, feathery stems — stunning at the front of herb borders or interspersed through the cottage garden
• Cosmetic and hair care: Flowers are traditionally used in shampoos and hair rinses to naturally lighten and brighten blonde hair; chamomile extract is a classic ingredient in premium botanical skincare
• Prolific self-seeder: Drops its own seeds freely at season’s end — plant once and enjoy volunteers returning year after year
• Continuous harvest: Chamomile regenerates new blooms after each picking. First harvest approximately 2 months from sowing; repeat throughout the growing season

Variety Details

• Botanical Name: Matricaria recutita (syn. Matricaria chamomilla)
• Common Names: German chamomile, blue chamomile, wild chamomile
• Type: Cool-tolerant warm-season annual — open-pollinated, untreated, non-GMO
• Flower: Small white daisy with yellow center; apple-scented
• Height: 6–12 inches
• Germination: 7–10 days at 68°F; light required — surface sow, do not bury
• Spacing: 6 inches apart
• USDA Zones: 4–9 (annual); self-seeds freely in most climates
• Soil: Well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic; tolerates lean soil

Culinary & Wellness Uses

• Chamomile tea: Steep 1–2 teaspoons of dried flowers per cup of boiling water for 5 minutes. Traditionally consumed before bed for relaxation and sleep support
• Chamomile honey — infuse fresh or dried flowers in warm honey for a floral, mildly apple-scented sweetener for teas, yogurt, and toast
• Added to herbal tea blends with lemon balm, lavender, or peppermint
• Chamomile simple syrup — steep flowers in 1:1 sugar and water; use in cocktails, lemonade, and baked goods
• Culinary garnish — fresh flowers are edible and add a delicate floral note to salads, desserts, and cocktails
• Cosmetic: Dried flowers used in facial steam, rinses, and infused oils for sensitive skin; traditional hair brightening rinse for blonde hair
• Chamomile-infused oil — steep in carrier oil for 4–6 weeks for a gentle topical botanical oil

Planting Guide

• Outdoor sowing: After last frost, surface sow directly onto well-prepared, well-draining soil. Do not cover with soil — chamomile seeds require light to germinate. Press lightly into the surface or cover with a thin layer of peat moss only.
• Indoor start: Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost. Surface sow in trays; provide bright light and keep at 65–70°F. Transplant when seedlings reach 2 inches tall.
• Self-seeding: Allow some flowers to go to seed at season’s end. Plants will self-sow and return reliably in subsequent years in most climates.

Harvesting & Drying

• Harvest flowers when they are fully open and the petals begin to reflex (bend back) — this is peak potency for both flavor and medicinal compounds.
• Pick in the morning after dew dries for highest essential oil content.
• Spread harvested flowers in a single layer on a clean cloth or drying screen in a warm, airy location out of direct sunlight. Dry until completely crisp — typically 1–2 weeks.
• Store dried flowers in an airtight container in a cool, dark location. Properly dried chamomile retains quality for 1–2 years.