German Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

Family: AsteraceaeOrigin: Macaronesia, North Africa, and temperate Eurasia to Indochina

Cool Season Annual
Self-Seeding

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Toxic to pets

Special populations

Allergy: people allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies are more likely to react, including severe hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis (NCCIH). Drug interactions: warfarin, some liver-metabolized drugs, possibly sedatives; may decrease effect of birth control pills (NCCIH). Pregnancy/breastfeeding: little is known about safety (NCCIH).

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

flowers

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

none stated in the sources used

Hazard type

allergic reaction in people sensitive to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies (NCCIH)

Hazard route

ingestion or skin contact

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses per NC State Extension, which also notes it can cause contact dermatitis or oral swelling in sensitive individuals, particularly those with ragweed allergies: consistent with the general Asteraceae (daisy family) pattern of causing allergic-type reactions. This species-specific finding is independent of ASPCA's separate Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) page, which lists similar contact dermatitis and GI signs for that different genus.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis, also called Garden Chamomile): ASPCA's own 'Chamomile' page. To tell them apart: Different genera in the same plant tribe; both share a daisy-like flower and apple-like scent, which is why they're historically confused. No further independently sourced visual distinction: check the botanical name.. ASPCA's 'Chamomile' page is for the other genus, not PlotAndPetal's species (Matricaria chamomilla, German Chamomile): using that page as a toxicity source would be a same-family-different-genus error. This guide uses NC State Extension's direct, species-specific statement instead.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Grown as a cool-season annual in all US zones
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: 6 in to 2 ft tall and wide, depending on conditions; can be grown in less than 12 in of space.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

How we choose sources

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