How Long Does It Take German Chamomile to Bloom From a Seed?

Plant German camomile (Matricaria recutita) from seed and enjoy the delicate white and yellow flowers in a few short weeks. This European native wildflower is an annual that grows fast and flowers abundantly. Grow German camomile in the herb garden, in wildflower gardens and in border areas where it can self-seed and naturalize. German camomile flowers, when dried, make a delicate, fragrant tea.

Whether you are growing German camomile flowers for harvest, or simply for the visual, wildflower effect they create, you can expect to see flowers about six to eight weeks after sowing seeds. This short-lived annual flowers in mid- to late summer and then fades out and sets seed. When allowed to self-slow, this camomile variety blooms in late spring and lasts about two months, but by sowing the seeds yourself, you can influence the blooming period.

To get a strong growing and flowering season, start with good bed preparation. German camomile requires full, bright sun to thrive, and will grow well from seed in clay soil conditions. Turn over the garden bed 8 inches deep using a garden fork and then rake the area flat. Scatter the tiny German camomile seeds over the area and then gently press or rake them into the soil 1/8 of an inch or less deep, so that they are barely covered.

In frost-prone climates, plant German camomile in late spring, typically around the beginning of June, when the soil warms to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Planting before the last frost date is fine. German camomile seeds and seedlings can survive a light frost after sowing. In mild climates, plant early in spring as soon as the soil warms to 45 F. Stagger your planting dates over a three to four week period to prolong flowering. After planting, water regularly to keep the soil from drying out as the German camomile seeds germinate and mature.

You can harvest and dry mature German camomile flowers to make tea. Wait until the white ray petals are fully open and sticking straight out from the yellow center of the flower. To harvest, slide your fingers under a blossom and lift up until the flower breaks free from the stem. As new flowers grow, continue harvesting, about every two weeks. Dry the flowers on a screen in the sun and then store in a cool, dry place.

By late summer, unharvested German camomile plants produce seeds. This is a great benefit for gardeners who want to create a natural meadow. The seeds scatter over the growing area and germinate reliably the following growing season. If you want to control the spread of your German camomile patch, pick or mow the flowers before seeds develop.