When to plant Chamomile
German chamomile is a wispy annual grown for its apple-scented daisy flowers, the classic tea herb. The dust-fine seed needs light to germinate, so press it onto the surface rather than burying it. It readily self-sows for next year.
Companions: Cabbage, onion, mint — a reputed 'plant doctor' for ailing neighbours
How to grow Chamomile
Chamomile is best direct-sown straight into the garden, as it dislikes being transplanted. Give it full sun to part shade and space plants about 8 inches apart. It takes roughly 60 days from planting to its first harvest, so count that against your frost dates to be sure it can finish. Classic companions include cabbage, onion, mint — a reputed 'plant doctor' for ailing neighbours.
Grower's tip: Sow the tiny seed on the surface (it needs light to germinate); pick the daisy flowers for tea.
When to plant Chamomile by USDA zone
Timing shifts with your climate — the same chamomile goes in weeks earlier in a mild zone than a cold one. Find your zone below for its planting window, or open that zone's full calendar.
| Zone | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Zone 1a | Direct sow outdoors Jun 1–Jun 29 |
| Zone 1b | Direct sow outdoors May 27–Jun 24 |
| Zone 2a | Direct sow outdoors May 22–Jun 19 |
| Zone 2b | Direct sow outdoors May 16–Jun 13 |
| Zone 3a | Direct sow outdoors May 11–Jun 8 |
| Zone 3b | Direct sow outdoors May 6–Jun 3 |
| Zone 4a | Direct sow outdoors May 1–May 29 |
| Zone 4b | Direct sow outdoors Apr 26–May 24 |
| Zone 5a | Direct sow outdoors Apr 21–May 19 |
| Zone 5b | Direct sow outdoors Apr 16–May 14 |
| Zone 6a | Direct sow outdoors Apr 7–May 5 |
| Zone 6b | Direct sow outdoors Apr 1–Apr 29 |
| Zone 7a | Direct sow outdoors Mar 24–Apr 21 |
| Zone 7b | Direct sow outdoors Mar 18–Apr 15 |
| Zone 8a | Direct sow outdoors Mar 8–Apr 5 |
| Zone 8b | Direct sow outdoors Mar 1–Mar 29 |
| Zone 9a | Direct sow outdoors Feb 14–Mar 14 |
| Zone 9b | Direct sow outdoors Feb 1–Mar 1 |
| Zone 10a | Direct sow outdoors Jan 17–Feb 14 |
| Zone 10b | Direct sow outdoors Jan 1–Jan 29 |
| Zone 11a | Direct sow outdoors Dec 18–Jan 15 |
| Zone 11b | Direct sow outdoors Dec 18–Jan 15 |
| Zone 12a | Direct sow outdoors Dec 18–Jan 15 |
| Zone 12b | Direct sow outdoors Dec 18–Jan 15 |
| Zone 13a | Direct sow outdoors Dec 18–Jan 15 |
| Zone 13b | Direct sow outdoors Dec 18–Jan 15 |