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Chamomiles are cheery little plants. Chamomile plants have a sweet scent like fresh apples and are used as flowerbed borders, in cottage and herb gardens, or as a low-maintenance lawn alternative that is good for pollinators. They are also used as a defense against pests and disease in the vegetable garden. Chamomile plants may range in height from 6 to 18 inches (15-46 cm. ) with an equal spread, depending upon the type. Any kind of chamomile will make a lot of seeds that will grow quickly wherever they land in warm, loose soil. Continue reading to learn more about growing chamomile from seed.
Chamomile is a popular herb known for its calming and medicinal properties. With its pretty daisy-like flowers and apple-like scent chamomile is a beloved addition to herb gardens, flower beds, and tea cups alike. But what do chamomile seeds look like? Read on for a guide to identifying chamomile seeds and seedlings.
An Overview of Chamomile
There are two main types of chamomile: German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). German chamomile is an annual herb that can grow up to 18 inches tall, while Roman chamomile is a perennial groundcover.
Both varieties produce charming white flowers with yellow centers The flowers each contain dozens of tiny seeds that allow the plant to self-sow and spread Once the flowers fade, they leave behind distinctive dry, cone-shaped seed heads. Inside these seed heads are the diminutive chamomile seeds, waiting to be dispersed.
What Do Chamomile Seeds Look Like?
Chamomile seeds are tiny, measuring just 1 to 2 mm long. They are oblong and angular in shape. When fresh, the seeds are light brown or tan in color. As they dry, the seeds become darker brown or even blackish.
The seeds are contained within hollow receptacles or cones in the center of the faded flowers. In German chamomile, this receptacle is shaped like a tiny cone or funnel. In Roman chamomile, the receptacle is flatter and more solid.
You can often hear the seeds rattling around inside these dry receptacles when the wind blows or the plant is disturbed. The receptacles help protect and disperse the hundreds of miniscule chamomile seeds produced by each flower head.
How to Harvest Chamomile Seeds
To collect chamomile seeds for future planting or propagation, wait until the flowers have faded completely. Look for dry, brown receptacles where the petals used to be. You can harvest the entire faded flower heads or break them apart to remove just the seed-filled receptacles.
Spread the seed heads or receptacles on a screen or newspaper in a single layer and allow to dry indoors for 1 to 2 weeks. Gently crush or rub the dry receptacles to separate the seeds. Store the seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Identifying Chamomile Seedlings
Chamomile seeds germinate readily in the right conditions. They can sprout in as little as 7-10 days. Here are some tips for identifying chamomile seedlings:
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Cotyledons (first seed leaves) are small and oblong, around 2-5 mm long. They may be slightly hairy.
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First true leaves are ferny and finely divided into narrow, blunt-tipped segments.
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Seedlings may be prone to damping off, so allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Young plants resemble their mature form early on, with delicate, frilly foliage.
Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart to allow them room to grow. Chamomile grows quickly, producing flowers that can be harvested just 6-8 weeks after sowing seeds. Soon you’ll have a flourishing patch of chamomile from those tiny seeds!
Growing Chamomile from Seed
Growing chamomile from seed is an easy way to add this lovely herb to your garden. Here are some tips:
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Direct sow seeds outdoors in prepared soil after the last spring frost. Chamomile enjoys full sun but tolerates partial shade.
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Or start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off.
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Scatter seeds over soil surface and gently tamp down. No need to cover chamomile seeds.
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Maintain even moisture for seedlings. Allow soil to dry between waterings as plants establish.
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Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart. Chamomile spreads readily via self-sowing.
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Harvest flowers for tea or other uses once blooms appear, usually 6-8 weeks after sowing.
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Allow some blooms to fully dry and self-sow for future chamomile patches.
With a little knowledge of what to look for, cultivating chamomile from seeds is an easy and rewarding endeavor. Soon you’ll have homegrown chamomile blossoms ready for harvest and seed heads to collect for future plantings of this multipurpose herb. Happy growing!
How to Grow Chamomile from Seed
There are two different species of plants commonly known as chamomile.
- Chamaemelum mobile is a low-growing perennial plant that is also called English, Russian, or Roman chamomile. It is thought to be the real chamomile and is used in landscaping as a flowering groundcover or in place of grass. English chamomile can grow in zones 4 through 11, and it is grown all over the world for its use in herbal medicine.
- German chamomile, or Matricaria recutita, is grown in the same way as chamomile, but it is thought to be fake chamomile. It grows to 18 inches (46 cm) tall every year. ) tall, and its small flowers that look like daisies add beauty to herb, cottage, and container gardens.
Both types of chamomile plants produce small, white, composite flowers with bright yellow center discs. German chamomile produces a hollow conical disc from which its white petals arch down from. English chamomile’s disc is flatter and solid, the flower petals spread outward from the disc, like a ray. There are a lot of chamomile seeds on each disc, or seed head. The seeds will sprout in seven to ten days if they get enough soil, sunlight, and water. One chamomile plant can quickly grow into a beautiful patch of chamomile if the seeds are left to grow and spread on their own.
Chamomile usually produces flowers that can be harvested for herbal use in just six to eight weeks. When herb gardeners pick chamomile flowers, they usually leave some seed heads behind so that the plants can grow into a small colony. You can also let some of the flowers dry out so that you can use the seeds to plant in other places. When should I plant chamomile seeds in the garden? You can start them indoors three to four weeks before the last frost. To plant chamomile seeds indoors, put potting mix that drains well into a seed tray. Then, sprinkle the seeds over the loose soil and lightly press it down or mist it with water. Seedlings should be thinned 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm. ) apart when they are about an inch (2. 5 cm. ) tall. Plants don’t like being moved once their roots are established and they start to bloom, so many gardeners prefer to plant the seeds right in the garden. You can use chamomile seeds in the garden or instead of grass on your lawn. All you have to do is sprinkle them over loose soil and lightly press them down. Germination can occur in temperatures as low as 45 to 55 degrees F. (7-13 C. ) in full sun to part shade.
How to save Chamomile Seeds | Collect Matricaria Chamomilla
FAQ
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