Photo: Köhler, F. E. (Franz Eugen)Public domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Mayweed Plant Care
Anthemis cotula L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Anthemis cotula, also known as stinking chamomile, or mayweed, is a flowering annual plant with a noticeable and strong odor. The odor is often considered unpleasant, and it is from this that it gains the common epithet "stinking". In pre-colonial times, its distribution was limited to the Old Continent and Africa; though it was established in most of Europe, it was not present in Finland, Ireland, or the northernmost reaches of Scotland, in spite of the fact that these countries feature climatic regions favorable to this plant and are in proximity to countries where the species is native, such as Russia, Estonia, Lithuania and England. It has successfully migrated to the New Europes where it can be found growing in meadows, alongside roads, and in fields.
Full sun to light shade
At a glance
How do you care for Mayweed?
Mayweed grows best in full sun to light shade. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Mayweed?
Mayweed (Anthemis cotula) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Anthemis genus. Mayweed is also known as Stinking Chamomile, Dog Fennel, Field Chamomile.
Mayweed displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Mayweed produces daisy-like flowers in shades of white, yellow, or pink.
What Light Does the Mayweed Need?
Mayweed thrives in full sun to light shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to light shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mayweed?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Mayweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Mayweed?
Divide clumps every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Mayweed?
Mayweed can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cretan chamomile plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mayweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Mayweed?
Mayweed is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Mayweed is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Anthemis genus — compare its care with other Anthemis species on PlantoScan.
Anthemis is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Mayweed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Anthemis Species
Other Anthemis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Anthemis cotula L., family Asteraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 894 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Mayweed is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Köhler, F. E. (Franz Eugen), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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