Grow an airy annual crop of aromatic German chamomile with fine, feathery foliage and white flowers around raised golden centres.
Ready to grow Mayweed chamomile from seed? Follow our step-by-step Chamomile Grow Guide for surface sowing, germination, South African timing, transplanting, care and flower harvest.
Quick Grow Facts
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Plant Type: Upright annual herb
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Scientific Name: Matricaria recutita (widely used synonym of accepted Matricaria chamomilla)
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Seed Form: Raw seed; the current packet label does not separately declare treatment status
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Regional Sowing: Mild conditions from autumn to early spring in most South African regions; start late winter/early spring in frost-prone interiors
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Position: Sun; light afternoon shade in very hot districts
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Sow Method: Surface sow and press in; light is required.
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Germination: About 7-14 days at 18-24°C
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Spacing: Use about 20 cm between clusters and 45 cm between managed flower rows
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Days to Harvest: Pick newly opened to near-full flowers
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Height: Usually about 40-60 cm
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Seed Quantity - 2 g raw seed: Approx. 32,000 seeds
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Seed Quantity - 20 g raw seed: Approx. 320,000 seeds
Why Grow Mayweed Chamomile
- Produces repeated flushes of daisy-like flowers on an upright annual plant.
- Fine foliage and apple-scented flowers suit herb beds, borders and containers.
- Regular flower picking encourages a longer harvest.
Growing Notes
- Use a fine, free-draining seedling mix and keep the exposed seed evenly moist.
- Transplant small seedlings at 3-4 true leaves or direct sow into a clean, finely prepared bed.
- Give good airflow and avoid saturated soil or rich nitrogen feeding.
- This is annual German/Mayweed chamomile, not creeping perennial Roman chamomile.
Tea and Seed Safety
Use only correctly identified flowers from a lot confirmed suitable for culinary use. Raw describes the seed form and does not prove untreated or food-grade status; do not eat the sowing seed. Chamomile may cause daisy-family allergies and interact with medicines. See the guide for careful identity and health wording.
Brought to you by Ubuntuberg Seeds, where our mission is to cultivate humanity & harvest unity. Ubuntuberg Seeds: the highest quality seed stock in all of Southern Africa, sourced from sustainable farms, guaranteeing you the best quality seed stock.
