🌱 Introduction and history
German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a charming annual herb originally from Europe and Western Asia but has become a beloved plant in South African gardens too. Known for its delicate white and yellow daisy-like flowers, it has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine and teas.
This little herb has gained popularity worldwide for its gentle calming effects and versatility. South African gardeners appreciate it not only for its medicinal uses but also for its ease of growing in pots or garden beds. Whether you’re a seasoned herbalist or just starting out, German Chamomile is a friendly, fragrant addition to your garden.
💊 Medicinal Benefits
- May support relief from anxiety and stress
- Traditionally used for promoting restful sleep
- May help soothe digestive discomfort such as indigestion or cramps
- Traditionally used for mild skin irritations when applied topically
- May support anti-inflammatory effects thanks to compounds like chamazulene
📅 When to Plant in South Africa
| Province | Best sowing months | Best transplanting months | Notes |
|——————-|—————————|————————–|————————————-|
| Western Cape | September – November | October – December | Coastal and inland, mild frost risk |
| Eastern Cape | September – November | October – December | Coastal heat, seed or seedling OK |
| Northern Cape | September – October | — | Inland heat, sow directly |
| Free State | September – October | — | Frost risk, sow after last frost |
| KwaZulu-Natal | September – November | October – December | Humid coastal, seed or seedling |
| Gauteng | September – October | — | Inland frost risk, sow after frost |
| Mpumalanga | September – November | October – December | Warm inland, transplant if desired |
| Limpopo | September – October | — | Hot inland, sow in cooler months |
| North West | September – October | — | Dry inland, sow after frost |
🏡 Where to Plant
German Chamomile is very versatile and can be grown directly in garden beds or containers. It loves a spot with good airflow but sheltered from harsh winds to protect the delicate flowers. A sunny patio pot of at least 20cm diameter works well if you want to grow it on your stoep or balcony. It also does fine in a greenhouse or cold frame during cooler months.
Microclimates with some afternoon shade can help if you garden in hotter inland areas, preventing the plants from bolting too quickly.
🌞 Soil, Water & Sunlight Requirements
✅ Soil: Prefers well-draining, sandy soil. Avoid heavy clay that holds too much moisture. Adding compost improves fertility and drainage.
✅ Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade—ideally 4–6 hours of sunlight daily.
✅ Water: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly, especially in pots, allowing the top layer to dry slightly between watering.
✅ Fertilize: Feed lightly every 4–6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer.
✅ Spacing: Plant seedlings 20–30 cm apart to allow airflow and reduce disease risk.
✅ Seeds germinate: 7–14 days at 15–20°C soil temperature.
✅ Transplanting: Transplant seedlings at 2–3 weeks old. Harden off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a week.
✅ Maturity height: Usually 20–30 cm tall.
✅ Varieties:
– Common German Chamomile (easiest to grow)
– Roman Chamomile (harder, perennial, low-growing)
– Wild Chamomile (resembles German, sometimes invasive)
🍓 Flowers & Fruit
German Chamomile produces small, daisy-like flowers with white petals and yellow centres. It flowers about 70–80 days after sowing. The flowers are the prized part for teas and oils. To prevent premature seed setting (bolting), keep plants well-watered and avoid excessive heat stress by providing some afternoon shade if needed.
Regular harvesting of flowers encourages more blooms and delays going to seed. There are no fruits as such, just tiny seeds after flowering.
🌼 Companion Plants
- Basil (helps repel pests)
- Dill (attracts beneficial insects)
- Mint (deters aphids)
- Lavender (pollinator friendly)
- Marigold (natural pest control)
- Coriander (improves soil)
- Avoid planting near fennel (can inhibit growth)
- Avoid planting near heavy feeders like maize
🐛 Common Pests
German Chamomile is prone to:
– Aphids
– Spider mites
Organic prevention & treatment:
– Spray neem oil regularly as a preventative.
– Use insecticidal soap spray for infestations.
– Handpick pests or blast off with water spray.
– Introduce ladybugs and lacewings to your garden as natural predators.
🧺 Harvesting
Harvest flowers when they are fully open but before they start to wilt or brown. Morning after dew dries is best for optimal flavour. Pick regularly to encourage more blooms—this “cut-and-come-again” method keeps your plants productive.
🫙 Storage
For short-term use, store fresh flowers in a jar with water or wrapped loosely in a paper towel inside the fridge. Dry flowers by hanging small bunches in a cool, dark, airy place. Once dry, store in airtight containers away from light. You can also freeze flowers for later use in teas.
🧪 How to Use as Medicine
- Chamomile tea: Steep 1–2 teaspoons of dried flowers in 1 cup of boiling water for 5–10 minutes. Drink 1–3 cups daily.
- Tea infusion for digestion: Drink after meals to soothe stomach discomfort.
- Cooling compress: Brew strong tea, cool, soak a cloth, and apply to irritated skin.
- Steam inhalation: Add a handful of flowers to hot water, cover your head with a towel, and inhale steam carefully for sinus relief.
Start with small doses to check for allergies. Avoid use during pregnancy or if allergic to daisies or ragweed. Always consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
💊 Benefits of eating organic verses store bought
- Fresher taste and aroma from homegrown or organic chamomile
- Fewer pesticide residues compared to commercial products
- Supports healthier soil microbiomes and biodiversity
- Encourages sustainable gardening practices
- Helps reduce carbon footprint by cutting transport emissions
- Supports local growers and traditional herbal knowledge
- Often higher in active compounds due to careful growing conditions
🎉 Fun Fact
German Chamomile’s blue essential oil gets its colour from chamazulene, a compound formed during steam distillation—giving it a unique and striking blue hue!
⚠️ Caution
Some people may experience allergic reactions, especially if sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family (like ragweed and daisies). Avoid use if pregnant or breastfeeding without professional advice. Chamomile may interact with blood-thinners and sedatives. Always consult a qualified herbalist or healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs.
📣 Call to action
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**Meet Sprout!** Sprout is your friendly gardening companion at Earthborn, always ready with helpful advice on plant care, medicinal herbs, and natural gardening solutions. From seedling to harvest, Sprout provides expert guidance to nurture your garden and your well-being—making gardening easy, fun, and naturally rewarding.
