German Giant

Family: Asteraceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Fragrant and honeyed from the first open bloom, German Giant chamomile fills the garden with a warm, apple-like perfume and a soft, floral sweetness.

Expect generous, daisy-like flowers with crisp, feathery texture and a calming, aromatic presence that’s prized for steeping and soothing infusions. A standout for herb beds and borders, this vigorous selection rewards attentive growers with abundant harvest-ready heads over a steady season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

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German Giant Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	May 25th	Aug 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	May 15th	Jul 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	May 19th	Jul 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	May 13th	Jul 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	May 8th	Jul 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	May 4th	Jul 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	May 1st	Jul 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Apr 25th	Jul 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Apr 20th	Jun 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Apr 10th	Jun 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	Apr 1st	Jun 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Mar 6th	May 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Feb 9th	Apr 20th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

German Giant chamomile is all about that first-bloom fragrance—soft, sweet, and apple-hued—so steep briefly and strain aggressively to keep the cups clean and perfumed rather than bitter. Use it as a flavor “top note” (tea, syrups, custards) where its floral lift can stay intact.

Best Uses

single-origin chamomile tea infusions
steam-fresh bouquet for honeyed iced tea and spritzers
floral steeping for custards and panna cotta (strain well)
finishing drizzle flavoring in honey-lemon syrups

Flavor Profile

honeyed floral sweetness warm apple-like aroma lightly grassy, crisp-tea bitterness delicate, perfumed mouthfeel

Kitchen Pairings

honey lemon vanilla milk or cream ginger

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile), and how can I prevent it?

German chamomile most often suffers from powdery mildew when plants are crowded and airflow is poor. Water at the base and space seedlings so leaves dry quickly after morning dew, then remove badly affected leaves early to slow spread. If mildew appears, spray with a labeled potassium bicarbonate or horticultural sulfur product and repeat as directed on the label.

How often should I water Matricaria chamomilla during its main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for light, frequent watering so the top 1 inch stays lightly damp. Once established, water when the surface starts to dry, typically every few days in warm weather, since German chamomile prefers moisture without waterlogging.

How do I know when German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the flower centers are fully open and the yellow disk florets are at peak bloom, not when they are closed or past their prime. For best quality, pick on dry mornings and use immediately, or dry the flowers quickly in a well-ventilated area out of direct sun.