Chamomile (German) in Zone 9a & 9b
Matricaria recutita
Yes, chamomile (German) grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Jan 4–Jan 11 and plant out Feb 15–Feb 22.
When to plant chamomile (German) in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Jan 4–Jan 11 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 15–Feb 22 |
| Estimated harvest | Apr 16–Apr 23 (~60 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of chamomile (German) in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilMar 1–Mar 8
- BorageFeb 15–Feb 22
- DillFeb 8–Feb 15
- RosemaryMar 1–Mar 8
- AniseFeb 15–Feb 22
- Anise HyssopFeb 15–Feb 22
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Chamomile (German) needs about 60 days from transplant to first harvest.
Chamomile (German) planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b 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 | Feb 11–Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | May 24–May 31 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | 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 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Chamomile (German) in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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