herb · direct sow · 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, 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 · 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 – Jun 12 | — |
| Zone 4 | Apr 26 – Jun 7 | — |
| Zone 5 | Apr 16 – May 28 | — |
| Zone 6 | Apr 6 – May 18 | — |
| Zone 7 | Mar 22 – May 3 | — |
| Zone 8 | Mar 11 – Apr 22 | — |
| Zone 9 | Feb 6 – Mar 20 | — |
| Zone 10 | Jan 17 – Feb 28 | — |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Pick flower heads when petals lie flat or just reflex back, the cone is fully domed and aromatic.
Yield
About 0.15 lbs per plant over ~8 productive weeks (~0.15 lb).
Watch for
Aphids · Spider mites · Downy & powdery mildew · Japanese beetles, 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, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Chamomile, German cans, freezes, or dries for the pantry. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Chamomile, German planting questions
How many german chamomile plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 10 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 40 plants, which takes around 27 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does german chamomile need?+
Space plants 8" apart in the row with 12" between rows. Sow 0" deep. Direct sow in the bed.
When should I plant german chamomile?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing german chamomile worth it?+
At about $8.00/lb retail and ~0.15 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $48 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.