herb ยท direct sow ยท beginner friendly
German Chamomile: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating german chamomile a few times a week needs about 40 plants in ~27 sq ft, worth about $48 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$8.00/lb retail โ an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 10 | ~7 sq ft | ~20 | ~$12 |
| 2 people | 20 | ~14 sq ft | ~40 | ~$24 |
| 4 people | 40 | ~27 sq ft | ~80 | ~$48 |
| 6 people | 60 | ~40 sq ft | ~120 | ~$72 |
Spacing
8" in row ยท 12" between rows
Sow depth
0"
Days to harvest
63 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 1 โ Jun 12 | โ |
| Zone 4 | Apr 26 โ Jun 7 | โ |
| Zone 5 | Apr 16 โ May 28 | โ |
| Zone 6 | Apr 6 โ May 18 | โ |
| Zone 7 | Mar 22 โ May 3 | โ |
| Zone 8 | Mar 11 โ Apr 22 | โ |
| Zone 9 | Feb 6 โ Mar 20 | โ |
| Zone 10 | Jan 17 โ Feb 28 | โ |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 0.15 lbs per plant over ~8 productive weeks (~0.15 lb).
Watch for
Aphids ยท Spider mites ยท Downy & powdery mildew ยท Japanese beetles โ the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code โ not just your zone โ in about 60 seconds.