Chamomile 'German'

Scientific Name: Matricaria chamomilla

Common Name: German Chamomile, Wild Chamomile, Blue Chamomile, Scented Mayweed

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Height: Up to 50 cm (20 inches)

Width: Approximately 25 cm (10 inches)

Spacing: 15–30 cm (6–12 inches)

Attracts: Bees and other pollinators

Flavour: Aromatic with a slightly bitter taste

Use: Commonly used to make herbal teas; also utilized in traditional medicine for its digestive, carminative, sedative, tonic, vasodilator, and antispasmodic properties

Plant Habit: Herbaceous annual with erect, branching stems

Harvest: Harvest flower heads in full bloom during summer; drying is recommended for storage

Companion Plants: Cabbage, onions, and mint

General Information: German Chamomile is native to Europe and temperate regions of Asia but has naturalized in parts of North America and Australia. It thrives in well-drained soil with ample sunlight and can tolerate poor soil conditions. The plant is characterized by its white ray florets and yellow disc florets, with a hollow receptacle. The dried flowers are commonly used to prepare chamomile tea, known for its calming effects.

*Photo courtesy of Ball Horticulture