Pineapple Weed

Family: Asteraceae Herb

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

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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.