German chamomile (Matricaria retutita), an annual self-sowing herb that looks somewhat like a small daisy, is easy to grow if its soil requirements are met. Being self-sowing, German chamomile will pop up in your garden for years to come, but it is not considered invasive due to its slow growth rate. It can be uprooted without effort, as needed.
Make sure the soil is well-draining. If your soil consists of mostly clay, add some sand to promote drainage. If you have a more sandy soil, that is perfect for German chamomile. German chamomile will also grow in store-bought soilless mediums, including perlite, vermiculite, rockwool and coco peat, according to Herbgardening.com.
German chamomile likes average soil, with a pH range of between 4.8 and 8.3. In other words, most soils will be fine. If you would like to test your soil anyway, you can buy an inexpensive soil pH test kit in most garden centers and hardware stores. A soil lower than 7.0 is an acid soil and one higher than 7.0 is an alkaline soil.
Use a 2:1 ratio of nitrogen:phosphorus fertilizer for the greatest yield of chamomile flowers. Nitrogen is the first number on a container of fertilizer, phosphorus is the second, and potassium is the third. So a fertilizer with a balance of 20:10:10, for example, would give you strong foliage and abundant chamomile flowers. Apply a granular fertilizer at a rate of 2 ounces per 10 square feet of growing space. Fertilize once a month during the growing season until frost. Apply on moist soil and water well afterward.
Sprinkle a fine soil on the seeds after sowing. They need sun to germinate, so sow seeds in a sunny spot. Firm the soil lightly and keep it evenly moist.
Wait to sow seeds until the soil is 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and evening temperatures are well above freezing. German chamomile is considered a tender herb and will not survive a frost.
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