German chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

Apple-scented daisies dried for the best-known bedtime tea; it self-sows gently between vegetables.

Type: herb or perennial · annual vegetables, herbs and grains
Hardiness: zones 2 to 9
Light: full sun
Size: about 2 ft tall, 1 ft wide
Harvest: June to August
From: Europe and W. Asia
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.

Good for: food, pollinators, traditional use.

Native to: Temperate Europe, Mediterranean. Hardy in zones 2 to 9.

The story

Chamomile was used in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, and it is still one of the most-drunk herbal teas in the world. Its name comes from Greek words for 'ground apple', after its scent.

Planting

Full sun and ordinary soil. Scatter seed on the surface in early spring or autumn.

Growing

It needs almost no care and self-sows.

Harvest and use

Pick the flowers when the white petals lie flat, on a dry morning, and dry them in shade. Steep a spoonful for tea.

What to watch for

People allergic to ragweed and other daisies may react to it. Aphids on the tips.

Safety

Medicinal uses here are shared as history, not advice. Kitchen amounts are fine for most people, but teas, tinctures and supplements can interact with medicines and aren't safe for everyone, especially in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, for children, or with liver or kidney problems. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any plant as medicine.

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More annual vegetables, herbs and grains

General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home