German

Family: Asteraceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add German to a garden.

Aromatic and honeyed from the first open bloom, German chamomile fills the garden with a soft, apple-like fragrance and a gentle, golden warmth.

Expect dainty, daisy-like flowers with bright, sunlit centers and feathery, finely divided foliage that lends an airy texture to beds and borders. Grow for abundant blossoms—ideal for drying and for soothing infusions and fragrant blends.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

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German 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	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	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)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

German chamomile is built for gentle extraction: the flavor reads floral and honeyed, but it can turn papery/bitter if you over-steep. Use light steep times and it shines in honey-lemon infusions or as a fragrant, drying-friendly tea.

Best Uses

single-varietal hot or iced infusion
drying for steepable winter teas
blending into soothing herbal tea mixes
floral garnish on desserts (light, not overpowering)

Flavor Profile

soft apple-like aromatics honeyed, floral perfume mildly bitter herbal finish delicate, tea-friendly body

Kitchen Pairings

lemon honey ginger vanilla milk apple

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), and how can I treat it at home?

A common issue is powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, dusty coating on leaves during warm, humid spells. Remove and discard the worst foliage, improve airflow by spacing plants well in full sun, and water the soil (not the leaves) so foliage dries quickly. If mildew persists, use a labeled potassium bicarbonate or sulfur-based fungicide according to the product directions.

How often should I water German chamomile during its main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy—aim for the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) to dry slightly between waterings. Water deeply enough to wet the root zone, then slow down if the soil stays damp, because German chamomile is prone to root stress in waterlogged beds. In full sun, this often works out to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week from rainfall plus irrigation, adjusted for your soil and weather.

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

Harvest when the flowers are fully open and the white ray florets are horizontal (not drooping), typically around 70 days after sowing. For the best flavor and drying quality, pick in the morning after dew has dried so buds and heads don’t store extra moisture. Continue harvesting regularly while new heads open to keep plants producing.