Herb · Asteraceae family
German chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
In short a 10-second read
spacing 20 cm
Where to plant and how much to water
Sun, soil and water.
It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil.
Sun
Soil
Watering
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Plant 20 cm apart.
The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
Through the year.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
June–August · white or yellow
Sowing
direct sowing: March–May; sow indoors: March–April
Harvest
June–August
What to plant now (March) full list in March (285) →What to plant now (April) full list in April (324) →What to plant now (May) full list in May (186) →
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does German chamomile flower?
In June–August; the flowers are white or yellow.
When do I sow German chamomile?
In March–May (direct sowing, sow indoors).
When is German chamomile harvested?
In June–August.
Does German chamomile tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does German chamomile need?
At maturity 0.15–0.3 m wide and 0.15–0.6 m tall; recommended spacing 20 cm.
Sources (12) Checked 19 October 2026
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- missouribotanicalgarden.org
- rhs.org.uk
- pladias.cz
- api.gbif.org
- samen-maier.at
- kraeuter-und-duftpflanzen.de
- ema.europa.eu 2
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EASIN 2, Slovakia
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
Preparation and use · German chamomile
How to prepare it.
According to the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
part: flower
For: minor digestive complaints such as bloating and minor spasms For whom: Adolescents, adults, elderly
- What you use
- Herb
- How it is used
- By mouth
- Single dose
- 1.5–4 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
- How often
- 3–4× a day
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor.
Method
- 1
Put 1.5–4 g of dried flowers in a cup.
- 2
Pour over 150 ml of boiling water.
- 3
Steep for 5–15 min.
10:00 - 4
Drink 3–4× a day.
For: minor digestive complaints such as bloating and minor spasms For whom: 6–12 years · children
- What you use
- Herb
- How it is used
- By mouth
- Single dose
- 1.5–3 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
- How often
- 2–4× a day
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor.
Method
- 1
Put 1.5–3 g of dried flowers in a cup.
- 2
Pour over 150 ml of boiling water.
- 3
Steep for 5–15 min.
- 4
Drink 2–4× a day.
For: minor digestive complaints such as bloating and minor spasms For whom: 2–6 years · children
- What you use
- Herb
- How it is used
- By mouth
- Single dose
- 1–1.5 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
- How often
- 2–4× a day
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor.
Method
- 1
Put 1–1.5 g of dried flowers in a cup.
- 2
Pour over 150 ml of boiling water.
- 3
Steep for 5–15 min.
- 4
Drink 2–4× a day.
part: flower
Mouth rinse and gargle at home
For: minor inflammation of the mouth or throat For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly
- What you use
- Herb
- How it is used
- In the mouth and throat
- Single dose
- 1–5 g of dried flowers in 100 ml of water
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor.
Method
- 1
Put 1–5 g of dried flowers in a cup.
- 2
Pour over 100 ml of boiling water.
- 3
Steep for 5–15 min.
10:00 - 4
Gargle.
part: flower
Compress at home
For: minor skin inflammation, to help heal minor superficial wounds For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly
- What you use
- Herb
- How it is used
- On the skin
- Single dose
- 3–10 g of dried flowers in 100 ml of water
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor.
Method
- 1
Put 3–10 g of dried flowers in a cup.
- 2
Pour over 100 ml of boiling water.
- 3
Steep for 5–15 min.
10:00 - 4
Soak a cloth and apply it.
Dosage
| Form | Single dose | How often | For whom | How long | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: flowerfor: minor digestive complaints such as bloating and minor spasms | 1.5–4 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water | 3–4× a day | Adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 1 week → see a doctor | |
| Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: flowerfor: minor digestive complaints such as bloating and minor spasms | 1.5–3 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water | 2–4× a day | 6–12 years · children | longer than 1 week → see a doctor | |
| Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: flowerfor: minor digestive complaints such as bloating and minor spasms | 1–1.5 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water | 2–4× a day | 2–6 years · children | longer than 1 week → see a doctor | |
| Mouth rinse and gargleat homepart: flowerfor: minor inflammation of the mouth or throat | 1–5 g of dried flowers in 100 ml of water | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 1 week → see a doctor | ||
| Compressat homepart: flowerfor: minor skin inflammation, to help heal minor superficial wounds | 3–10 g of dried flowers in 100 ml of water | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 1 week → see a doctor | ||
| Children under 2: not recommended | |||||
How long
If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor.
Who should not use it
- Children under 2: not recommended
- If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plant
- If allergic to plants of the daisy family (Asteraceae)
Cautions
- If symptoms get worse, see a doctor.
This is not medical advice. More
Harvest

















