Can you use Dried Chamomile for seed?

June 16, 2026

Question: I have some old chamomile in a jar and was wondering if I can use it for seed.

It is highly likely that it would grow! In fact, homesteaders and gardeners do this all the time as a clever budget hack.

Because chamomile flowers are dried whole, those dense yellow centers often contain fully mature, viable seeds that are just resting in dormancy. Even if the jar has been sitting on your shelf for a couple of years, chamomile seeds are incredibly tough and can retain their ability to sprout for a surprisingly long time.

If you want to give that old jar a second life in the dirt, here is how to maximize your chances of getting a flush of green seedlings:

The "Jar-to-Garden" Sprouting Strategy

 The Breakdown: Take a small handful of the dried flowers and rub them aggressively between your palms over a small bowl. You want to completely crush and pulverize those yellow cones to release that ultra-fine, dust-like seed.

The Golden Rule (Do Not Bury!): Chamomile seeds are photoblastic, meaning they absolutely require direct light to break dormancy and sprout. Fill a small pot or a tray cell with pre-moistened potting soil, and simply sprinkle your crushed flower dust right on top of the surface. Press it down very gently with your palm just so it makes good contact with the dirt, but leave it completely uncovered. 

Bottom-Water Only: Because the seeds are as light as dust, watering from above with a watering can will just wash them away or bury them under the mud. Set your pot in a shallow tray of water and let it suck moisture up from the bottom, or use a very gentle spray bottle to mist the surface.

Keep the soil consistently damp and pop the pot in a warm spot with bright light. Within 7 to 14 days, if the seeds inside those old flowers still have some life left in them, you will see a tiny green carpet of microscopic sprouts pushing their way up.

It costs absolutely nothing to try, and there is nothing more satisfying than turning an old pantry jar into a brand-new bed of fresh herbs!

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