How to Grow Matricaria Chamomilla Seed

When to Sow

• You can sow German chamomile seeds straight into the final site during the fall. They will lie dormant over winter and grow the following spring. Make shallow furrows in the soil and scatter the seeds thinly. Alternatively, sow seeds indoors in the early spring to be ready for transplanting outside once the risk of frost is over.

Starting Seeds Indoors

• Fill one or more seed trays with general-purpose potting compost or a mixture of three parts potting compost to one part sand or perlite. Dampen the compost until it is moist but not soggy. Thinly scatter the seeds across the tray. Sprinkle a little compost over the top, but not too much; chamomile seeds need light to germinate.

Care of Seedlings

• Place the trays in a warm room that receives plenty of natural light. This induces germination and encourages healthy growth once the seeds sprout. Water the trays as necessary to keep the soil slightly damp. If you sowed the seeds outside, remove excess seedlings as necessary. German chamomile plants don’t get very big, but they do need at least a few inches of space between them.

Transplanting and Aftercare

• Transplant the seedlings into your garden once they are a few inches high. Space them about 6 inches apart. The only tool you need for this task is a hand trowel. Water the plants during periods of unusual drought and remove weed seedlings as you notice them. Otherwise, they are hardy and require little care. German chamomile is well suited to container growing on a patio or balcony.

Considerations

• Because German chamomile is so hardy and seeds readily, it might become a nuisance in some areas. German chamomile can sprout like a weed all over a garden and, more seriously, become established in nearby natural habitats, where it competes with native plants. Always deadhead the flowers once they begin to wither and before they form seeds. If you want to collect some of the seeds, tie bags over a couple of the flower heads.