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Herbs, Flowers & Specialty CropsChamomile Planting Calendar
German chamomile is a small, quick annual that grows from tiny seeds. The calendar is short, but a few details about light and timing make the difference between a patch and a bare bed.
Key points
- Sow chamomile in fall or shortly before the last frost, or start indoors six to eight weeks before.
- Press seed onto the soil surface, because light helps it germinate.
- Pick flowers near full bloom and keep removing spent ones.
- Let some flowers go to seed if you want volunteers next year.
When should you sow chamomile?
University of Wisconsin Horticulture reports that chamomile can be sown directly in the garden in fall or shortly before the average last frost. Seed can also be started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost and moved outside after frost has passed.
Find your average last frost from the National Weather Service or your county extension office. For example, if your last spring frost usually falls around the start of May, indoor sowing would fall in mid to late March. This is an illustration of counting back from a frost date, not a date for your garden.
A fall sowing depends on winter conditions in your area. In regions with hard winters, a spring sowing is often the safer choice, so ask local growers or your extension office which approach works near you.
Why does chamomile seed need light?
The Wisconsin source notes that the seeds need light to germinate. Scatter them on the surface of fine, moist soil and press them in firmly without covering them. In warm conditions they usually sprout within about a week.
Water with a gentle mist or from below so the seed does not wash away. Keep the surface evenly moist until seedlings are up, because tiny seeds dry out fast.
Fine, sifted soil or a seed-starting mix gives better contact with tiny seed than lumpy garden soil. A light dusting of fine sand on top can help mark the row without covering the seed.
Should you direct seed or start chamomile indoors?
Direct sowing is the simplest, and fall sowing can give plants an early start the following season where winters allow. Spring direct sowing works when soil can be worked and the worst frost is behind you.
Indoor starts give a head start in short seasons. Transplant while seedlings are small, as the Wisconsin source notes that larger plants do not handle moving well. Containers are a good option if you want to control where chamomile spreads.
- Pick on a dry morning after dew has lifted.
- Dry flowers in a shaded, airy spot, never in direct sun.
- Store dried flowers in a sealed jar away from light and heat.
- Label jars with the date so you can use the oldest first.
What site and soil does chamomile like?
Once established, chamomile grows best in full sun. It tolerates ordinary soil, but good drainage and steady moisture while young keep plants strong. Crowded plants stay damp and are prone to disease, so thin seedlings to the spacing on your packet.
Your soil test and local recommendations guide any amendments. Chamomile does not need rich soil, and too much fertilizer favors leaves over flowers.
Plants stay compact, so interplant them with taller herbs or flowers. Because roots are shallow, keep weeds down by hand while plants are small.
How do you harvest chamomile flowers?
Pick flowers when they are close to full bloom, which the Wisconsin source says gives the best quality. Snip off just the flower head, and harvest regularly. Removing spent flowers keeps plants producing until frost, while leaving heads on lets plants self-seed.
You can use flowers fresh or dried. Dry them in a single layer in a warm, airy, shaded spot. Regulations and licensing for herbs sold commercially vary by state and federal law, so contact your state department of agriculture before selling any herb product. This guide makes no health claims.
How do you keep chamomile coming back?
Chamomile is an annual, but it self-seeds readily if you let some flowers mature and drop seed. Mark where plants grew and leave bare soil for volunteers. Otherwise, collect seed heads, dry them and store the seed in a cool, dry place for next year.
Sow a second small batch in the next planting window if you want a longer flowering period. Succession sowings also protect against a bad spell of weather.
What problems should you watch for?
Aphids and leaf diseases sometimes appear on chamomile in crowded or damp beds. Thinning, morning watering and clean-up reduce them. Ask your extension office to identify a problem before treating it.
If you consider a pesticide, the label is the law, pre-harvest intervals apply and applicator licensing varies by state. Chamomile flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects, so protect them.
Do not harvest from plants that have been treated with any product the label does not allow for edible use. Follow label directions exactly for every product you use.
Timing at a glance
| Item | Window | Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Chamomile sowing, University of Wisconsin Horticulture | Outdoors in fall or shortly before the average last frost; indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost | Source guidance for Wisconsin; use your own local frost dates. |
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.