Pineapple Weed

Family: Asteraceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Aromatic and honeyed from the first brush of foliage, Pineapple Weed (Chamomile) fills the garden with a bright, pineapple-like perfume that lingers on warm breezes.

At maturity, its dainty, button-like blossoms open in airy clusters, offering a delicate, floral character and a gently soothing, tea-ready aroma. Grow it for its fragrant, feathery presence and for the fragrant infusions and calming blends that showcase its distinctive, sunny scent.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Pineapple Weed

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Pineapple Weed 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	May 4th	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This chamomile is all about aroma—steep it rather than cooking it hard, so the pineapple-honey perfume stays bright instead of drifting bitter. Use it to perfume dairy and sweeteners like you would vanilla: a whisper that shows up every time you take a sip or spoon.

Best Uses

hot or cold steeped tea (single-note or blended)
dessert infusion for custards, syrups, and panna cotta
brief floral splash in poached fruit or warm honey drizzle
finishing touch on salads where you want a fragrant, not-assertive herb note

Flavor Profile

honeyed floral aromatics light, tea-like bitterness soft chamomile apple-like lift gentle, lingering finish

Kitchen Pairings

honey lemon vanilla milk or cream apples ginger

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Matricaria discoidea (pineapple weed), and how can I treat it?

The most frequent issues are fungal leaf spots and damping-off when seedlings are kept too wet and crowded. Water at the soil line, improve airflow by thinning to about 6–10 in (15–25 cm) apart, and remove any spotted leaves; if conditions stay humid, apply a labeled fungicide for ornamental Asteraceae and repeat as directed. For damping-off, avoid staying constantly wet and use fresh, well-draining seed-starting mix.

How often should I water pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea) during active growth?

During the main growth phase, keep the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil lightly moist, then allow it to dry slightly before watering again—typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat. In full sun, check more often: if the surface crusts or plants wilt during the day, water deeply until the root zone is evenly moist, then let the surface dry between waterings. Avoid soggy beds, which strongly increases the chance of fungal leaf problems.

How do I know when Matricaria discoidea is ready to harvest (or cut back)?

Matricaria discoidea is typically ready around 60 days after sowing, when plants have formed sturdy foliage and are in active flowering. Harvest/cut back when flower heads are fully developed but before extensive seed drop—look for open, mature disk flowers and firm stems that can be cut without flopping. If you’re growing it for continued regrowth, cut in the morning once flowers are at their best and stop harvesting once heavy seed dispersal begins.