What Do Chamomile Seeds Look Like? A Guide to Identifying This Calming Herb

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:

• Cotyledons (first seed leaves) are small and oblong, around 2-5 mm long. They may be slightly hairy.

• First true leaves are ferny and finely divided into narrow, blunt-tipped segments.

• Seedlings may be prone to damping off, so allow soil to dry out between waterings.

• 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:

• Direct sow seeds outdoors in prepared soil after the last spring frost. Chamomile enjoys full sun but tolerates partial shade.

• Or start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off.

• Scatter seeds over soil surface and gently tamp down. No need to cover chamomile seeds.

• Maintain even moisture for seedlings. Allow soil to dry between waterings as plants establish.

• Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart. Chamomile spreads readily via self-sowing.

• Harvest flowers for tea or other uses once blooms appear, usually 6-8 weeks after sowing.

• 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!