Matricaria

( mat - rik - KAY - ree - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering herbaceous plants, commonly called Mayweed, Feverfew, or Chamomile, includes species that do well in full sun with regular waterings. Daisy-form flowers in either white or yellow (sometimes rayless) bloom in spring and summertime, and are frequently visited by pollinators like flies, bees, and butterflies. Grow Matricaria in cottage, informal, pollinator, meadow, or native gardens, or use them as a lawn substitute. They are also commonly grown as members of cut flower gardens or herb gardens.

Matricaria Species and Varietals

The genus Matricaria is a member of the plant family Asteraceae, and includes around 21 distinct species. The plants in this genus are relatives of those in Chamaemelum (Roman Chamomile), Anthemis (Mayweed), and Achillea (Yarrow). These plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Matricaria aurea (Golden Mayweed, Golden Chamomile)
Golden Mayweed is native to a broad region spanning the Mediterranean through northwestern India. Flowers are yellow, and bloom between February and April. These plants reach up to 24 inches tall at maturity, and have a spread of around a foot and a half. Foliage is green to blue-green.

Matricaria chamomilla (Matricaria recutita) (Chamomile, Camomile, German Chamomile, Hungarian Chamomile, Wild Chamomile, Blue Chamomile, Scented Mayweed)
This species is native to Europe and western Asia, and is a fragrant plant with finely cut leaves. Flowers are white and daisy-form, and bloom in summertime. The flowers are used to make tea. Chamomile has many varieties, the most commonly grown are Matricaria 'White Stars' (with extended outer petals) and Chamaemelum nobile (also called Anthemis nobilis, a commonly-grown groundcover). This species is considered invasive in disturbed habitats, roadsides, and agricultural fields in North America.

Matricaria discoidea (Matricaria matricarioides) (Pineappleweed, Wild Chamomile, Disc Mayweed, Rayless Mayweed)
These plants exude a chamomile/Pineapple aroma when crushed, and leaves are typically used in salads and herbal teas. These annuals are native to North America and can reach up to 2 to 18 inches tall when mature. Flowers do not produce rays. It is considered invasive in North America, Europe, Asia, Iceland, South America, and New Zealand.

Matricaria occidentalis (Valley Mayweed, Western Chamomile, Western Pineappleweed)
This species, native to western North America, reaches up to 18 inches tall when mature, and is not as strongly scented as other plants in the species. It is sometimes used as a substitute for true Chamomile.

Caring for Matricaria

Chamomile plants should be situated in direct sun or partial shade. They will flower best when in full sun, though in warmer climates a bit of afternoon shade protects them from sunburn and drying out. Chamomile pairs well with Onions, Carrots, Leeks, Beets, Kohlrabi, Strawberries, Brassicas, Dill, Lettuce, and Tomatoes. Planting Chamomile with Summer Savory can improve the flavor of onions. They can also be used as a lawn substitute; the best plant spacing in this situation is one foot apart. Soil should be well-draining and rich in organic matter with a pH of between 5.6 and 7.5. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Water newly planted Chamomile regularly to help it develop a strong root system. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone with some supplemental waterings in the warmest months of the year.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Chamomile plants is simple: remove spent blooms and any unsightly foliage. These plants bounce back well from pruning. Late in the season, plants can have a tendency to get leggy, especially if they are grown in too much shade. Plants can be cut down to about four inches tall at this point, and a flush of new growth and flowering will be triggered. Matricaria species can either be annual or perennial. Annual species are typically pulled at the end of the growing season and composted, replaced in the next. Perennial species can survive for a few years in the landscape before needing to be replaced. Both annual and perennial species will freely re-seed in the garden, providing new flowers indefinitely.

Harvesting Matricaria
Matricaria plants can be grown as members of cut flower gardens, and are used as a delicate, airy filler. Stems are strong, and can reach up to 18 inches tall when plants are mature. They are typically harvested in spring and summertime in most regions. The best time to harvest is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Choose stems to harvest that have 65% to 75% of their blooms fully opened. Using sharp, clean shears, make a slanted cut at the base of the stem, strip foliage from the lower two thirds and drop it into a bucket of cool water. Matricaria cut flowers have a vase life of between 7 and 14 days.

Matricaria, or Chamomile, is very popular in teas, either on its own or paired with other flavorful ingredients. Fully opened flowers are the ideal blooms to harvest for use in tea. Pull off flowers with one hand while holding the stem directly underneath to avoid damaging the plants. Stems can be left on the plant to encourage new buds to form. Flowers can be steeped fresh or dried. To dry the flowers, lay them on a tray and place the tray in a dry spot for between a week and a week and a half. Once they have completely dried out, they can be stored in an airtight container or be frozen for later use.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Matricaria can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Chamomile, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Matricaria by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Matricaria by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Problems and Pests

Certain Matricaria species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Matricaria plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: