How to Care for Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile)
Korean name: 캐모마일
An herb that produces small white flowers with an apple scent. It has calming effects when brewed as tea and is popular for its cute flowers.
Key facts
- Category: Herb
- Family: Asteraceae
- Difficulty: Easy
- Where to keep: indoors
- Native to: Europe
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Pets: Mildly toxic, so keep pets from chewing on it.
- Traits: tea, flowering herb, calming, fragrance
- Also known as: German chamomile, Chamomile
Care Guide
- Light: At least 6 hours of sunlight.
- Watering: Water when the soil dries out.
- Soil: Well-draining soil.
- Humidity: Moderate.
- Temperature: 10~25°C
- Fertilizer: Once with slow-release fertilizer in spring.
Detailed care guide
German chamomile is an herb known for its small white flowers and appley scent. It's easy for beginners to grow and popular as an ornamental plant too.
Watering
Water whenever the soil dries out. Watering too often can cause root rot and yellow, mushy leaves, so always check that the soil is dry first. On the other hand, if it's too dry, the leaf tips can dry out.
Light
It needs at least 6 hours of sunlight a day to bloom beautifully and grow well. Insufficient light can cause the stems to grow leggy, so keep it in a bright spot.
Humidity
It grows well in average humidity. It doesn't require especially high humidity, so it's easy to grow indoors.
Temperature
It grows healthy in temperatures of 10–25°C. Growth may suffer if it's too cold or too hot, so stay within this range.
A common first-timer mistake
It's easy to make the mistake of watering too often. Get in the habit of watering only after the soil has fully dried out.
If you have pets
Chamomile can cause mild symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea if pets eat it. Keep it out of reach where pets can't chew on it.
Seasonal Care
In spring, summer, and fall, keep it in a sunny spot and water when the soil dries out. In winter, make sure the temperature doesn't drop below 10°C. Feeding a slow-release fertilizer once in spring helps it bloom healthy flowers.
Common Problems and Fixes
Too much water can turn the leaves yellow or mushy, causing health problems. Insufficient light can cause the stems to grow thin and leggy, with the leaves sagging, so keep it in a bright spot. If it's too dry, the leaf tips can brown, so check the soil regularly.
Repotting and Propagation
Choose well-draining soil for planting. Repot when the roots have filled the soil or when the soil condition deteriorates. It can be propagated from seed, and it will grow well when planted in healthy soil.
Who It's Good For
Anyone with a sunny spot can grow this easily. It's fairly forgiving if you forget to water occasionally, making it a good choice for busy people or plant beginners. It's recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy its apple-scented blooms.
Written by AI from the care facts in this entry. Treat it as a starting point.
Common questions
How often should you water Matricaria chamomilla?
Water when the soil dries out. Roughly every 5 days is the baseline; adjust for the season and the spot it sits in.
Where should you keep Matricaria chamomilla?
It likes At least 6 hours of sunlight.. You can grow it indoors. Use Well-draining soil..
Is Matricaria chamomilla safe around pets?
Mildly toxic, so keep pets from chewing on it.
Is Matricaria chamomilla good for beginners?
Difficulty: Easy. It is forgiving enough for a first plant. Keep it around 10~25°C. Humidity: Moderate.. Fertilise Once with slow-release fertilizer in spring..