Matricaria chamomilla

German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) — an apple-scented annual with white daisy flowers for soothing herbal tea. Easy, self-seeding and bee-friendly.
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Matricaria chamomilla — German chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla, known as German or annual chamomile, is the daisy-like herb behind the world's most soothing herbal tea — a cheerful, apple-scented annual that all but sows itself. It anchors our chamomile range within the culinary herb collection.

History & origin

Chamomile is native to Europe and western Asia and has been cherished since ancient times. The Egyptians dedicated it to their sun god, and Greek and Roman physicians prescribed it widely — a tradition of calming, gentle remedies that has carried right through to the chamomile tea on our shelves today.

Its name is wonderfully evocative: it comes from the Greek chamaimelon, meaning “ground apple,” a nod to the sweet, apple-like fragrance released when you brush against its feathery foliage and flowers.

Botanical characteristics

German chamomile is a slender, branching annual reaching 30–60 cm, with finely divided, ferny leaves and masses of small white daisies with raised golden-yellow centres. The flowers are the prize, picked and dried for fragrant, calming teas. A free self-seeder and a favourite of pollinators, it sits among our annual herbs and our aromatic herbs.

Growing Matricaria chamomilla from seed

Chamomile needs light to germinate, so sow on the surface and barely press the fine seed in — do not cover it. Sow in spring in full sun and well-drained soil, either directly or in trays, and thin to give plants room to branch. It is easy, quick and generous, flowering all summer and self-seeding for next year. Our herb growing guide and herb sowing calendar cover timing and care in full.

Ready to grow chamomile? Explore the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Chamomile · Culinary Herbs · Annual Herbs · Aromatic Herbs · All Herb Seeds

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

What is Matricaria chamomilla?
It is the botanical name for German (annual) chamomile, the daisy-like herb whose dried flowers make the classic soothing chamomile tea. How is it different from Roman chamomile?
German chamomile is an upright annual grown mainly for tea, while Roman chamomile is a low, spreading perennial often used as a fragrant lawn or ground cover. How do I grow chamomile from seed?
It needs light to germinate, so sow on the surface and do not cover the seed. Sow in spring in full sun and well-drained soil. Which part is used for tea?
The small white-and-gold flowers are picked and dried for fragrant, calming herbal teas.