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German Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla

Previously known as:

  • Chamomilla recutita
  • Matricaria recutita
Phonetic Spelling
mah-trih-KAIR-ree-ah kam-oh-MIL-luh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

A non-native annual herb in the Asteraceae (daisy) family native to Europe, India, and China.  Showy, aromatic white flowers with yellow centers dot the plant for a long bloom season in the summer. It can be used for tea, potpourris, garnishes, and crafts.  The tea has long been thought to provide a sedating effect and it is more often used for tea than its cousin, Roman Chamomile.

Use it in an herb garden, in the crevices of a rock garden, or planted along a border front or walkway.  Tuck it in the spall spaces of a cottage garden or near a patio or seating area where the fragrance can be enjoyed.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Can cause allergic skin reactions or oral swelling to those with ragweed allergies.

VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#small spaces#edible flowers#medicinal#cottage garden#long bloom time#border planting#dried arrangements#border front#walkway planting#contact dermatitis#vhfn#vhfn-h#annual#patio#herb garden#tea
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#small spaces#edible flowers#medicinal#cottage garden#long bloom time#border planting#dried arrangements#border front#walkway planting#contact dermatitis#vhfn#vhfn-h#annual#patio#herb garden#tea
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Matricaria
    Species:
    chamomilla
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Temp. Eurasia to Indo-China
    Edibility:
    Flowers for tea and other culinary uses.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 1 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 0 ft. 1 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herb
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Good Dried
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Daisy-like flowers bloom summer to fall. Each flower features 10-20 petal-like white rays surrounding a showy bright yellow domed center disk of tubular yellow florets.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Filiform
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Fern-like light green and feathery
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Meadow
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Edible Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Can cause contact dermatitis or oral swelling in those sensitive to it.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Desacetylmatricarin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves