Chamomile (German) in Zone 8a & 8b
Matricaria recutita
Yes, chamomile (German) grows in zones 8a and 8b. Start seeds indoors Feb 11–Feb 18 and plant out Mar 25–Apr 1.
When to plant chamomile (German) in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Feb 11–Feb 18 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 25–Apr 1 |
| Estimated harvest | May 24–May 31 (~60 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of chamomile (German) in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilApr 8–Apr 15
- BorageMar 25–Apr 1
- DillMar 18–Mar 25
- RosemaryApr 8–Apr 15
- American GinsengMar 25–Apr 1
- AniseMar 25–Apr 1
German chamomile is grown for its small, daisy-like flowers, dried for tea, and it earns extra credit in a vegetable garden for the beneficial insects its blooms attract.
How chamomile (German) fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Chamomile (German) needs about 60 days from transplant to first harvest.
Chamomile (German) planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Apr 8–Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | Jul 19–Jul 26 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 18–Apr 25 | May 30–Jun 6 | Jul 29–Aug 5 |
| 4a & 4b | Apr 3–Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | Jul 14–Jul 21 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | Jul 9–Jul 16 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 14–Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | Jun 24–Jul 1 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 27–Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Jun 9–Jun 16 |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | Feb 11–Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | May 24–May 31 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 4–Jan 11 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | Apr 16–Apr 23 |
| 10a & 10bFall window | Aug–Jan | Oct–Mar | ~60 days after transplanting |
Harvest dates are about 60 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
- Cabbage: Reputed to mask the scent brassica pests key in on and improve growth nearby.
- Onion: Traditional companion pairing said to improve flavor and growth.
Where to buy chamomile seeds
True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's chamomile seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing chamomile (German)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Chamomile (German) in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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