Matricaria chamomilla
German chamomile, wild chamomile, scented mayweed: this little daisy-like flower has been cultivated since ancient Egypt, where it was dedicated to the sun god Ra because of its golden heart. It can be distinguished from other chamomiles by its hollow, domed receptacle, which you can check simply by cutting it in half.
Characteristics:
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Generous flowering: from May to October, with small white flower heads featuring a domed yellow center, above finely divided, airy foliage.
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Distinctive fragrance: its crushed flowers release a gentle, fruity scent, sweeter than that of Roman chamomile.
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Very easy to grow: an undemanding annual that establishes itself in almost any corner of the garden.
Sowing advice:
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Exposure: sunny; it needs plenty of light to flower abundantly.
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Soil: ordinary, even poor, light and well-drained soil. It grows spontaneously in wastelands and along field edges, proving its frugality: there is no need to fertilize, as soil that is too rich produces floppy plants with few flowers.
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Method: sow in place in autumn or spring (late April outdoors), on the surface without covering: its tiny seeds need light to germinate. Simply press them down. Keep neither waterlogged nor stratified. See how to sow your seeds.
Care advice:
- Almost none. Thin to 20 cm if the seedlings are dense, and water only in the event of severe drought.
Harvesting advice:
- Harvest the flower heads when fully open, in the morning after the dew has evaporated, while the white petals are still horizontal. Dry them flat, in the shade and in a well-ventilated place.
Beneficial pairings:
Benefits for biodiversity:
- Its flat, open flower heads are highly accessible to small short-tongued pollinators: hoverflies, small solitary bees and beneficial micro-hymenopterans can easily find nectar and pollen there.
- Long flowering period from May to October, valuable for spreading resources throughout the season.
Uses:
- Traditionally used in infusions and cosmetics since ancient times, it remains one of the most widely cultivated plants in the world for these purposes. See our medicinal plants to sow.
Harvesting your own seeds:
Leave a few faded flower heads to turn completely brown on the plant, then rub them between your fingers over a container: the seeds are extremely fine. Chamomile also readily self-seeds from one year to the next. See how to store your seeds.
Commitment to Quality: at SemiSauvage - Permaculture, we grow and select our seeds with respect for all living things as our guiding principle. Based near the Auvergne Volcanoes, we choose reproducible, non-hybrid varieties, tested for their germination rate, carefully sorted and packaged, with no chemical treatment. Our belief: to give gardeners back the ability to resow, year after year, seeds that truly belong to them.
Add these scented mayweed seeds to your garden for their delicate beauty and unmistakable fragrance.
