Pineappleweed (Chamomilla suaveolens) - How to Grow & Care Guide

Plant Snapshot

Common Name: Pineappleweed
Latin Name: Chamomilla suaveolens
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 3–10 as an introduced annual. Colder zones limit active growth to summer while warmer zones can allow extended self seeding.
Typical Height: 1–6 in (2–15 cm).
Typical Spread: 4–12 in (10–30 cm) patching from self seeding and short runners.
Bloom Period: Variable by region, typically spring through summer in temperate climates.
Soil Preferences: Tolerates compacted, poor or low fertility soils with fair drainage. Performs best in dry to moderately moist, neutral to slightly acidic soils.
Light Preferences: Full sun to partial shade. More floriferous in open sun and more prostrate in shade.
Toxicity: Not documented as highly toxic and has traditional use as an herbal infusion. May cause allergic contact reactions in people sensitive to the aster family and pet safety is not well documented.
Propagation: By seed. Readily self seeds. Sow on surface or press into bare soil in spring or fall for natural reseeding.

Key Facts

Low annual herb in the aster family that forms mats or low clumps.
Flower heads are small, domed, and yellow green with no obvious petals.
Leaves are finely divided and foliage smells faintly of pineapple when crushed.
Common in compacted or disturbed soils, paths, lawns, and bare ground.
Reproduces by seed and readily self seeds in suitable sites.
Has historical use as a mild herbal infusion and can trigger Asteraceae allergies in sensitive people.

Pineappleweed is a tiny annual in the aster family that forms low mats and has a faint pineapple scent when foliage is crushed. It thrives on compacted or disturbed ground and reseeds readily, which makes it useful as a self-sowing groundcover in poor soils but a nuisance where you want a tidy lawn.

Identification

Plants stay very short with a typical height around 1 to 6 inches and form low clumps. Flower heads are small domed yellow green with no obvious petals and leaves are finely divided. Crushing the foliage releases a faint pineapple aroma that helps separate it from other low weeds.

Best uses and where it grows

Use Pineappleweed on worn paths, compacted beds, or bare spots where few ornamentals will thrive and you want quick green cover. It tolerates poor soils and sun to part shade and survives across a wide range of climates as an introduced annual and reseeding plant in USDA zones 3 to 10.

Planting and propagation

Propagate only by seed since plants reproduce readily that way. Sow on the soil surface or press seeds into bare ground in spring or fall for natural reseeding. No special stratification is usually required and seeds germinate best on exposed, disturbed soil where light reaches them.

Watering and cultural care

Pineappleweed tolerates dry to moderately moist conditions and often does better in well drained, compacted soils. Overly wet or poorly drained sites reduce vigor. In open sun plants tend to flower more, while shaded plants become more prostrate and less floriferous.

After flowering and maintenance

Flowering is variable by climate but typically occurs in spring through summer. To limit self seeding remove or rake out seed heads after bloom. To encourage naturalizing leave seed heads in place and avoid heavy mulches that block seed contact with soil.

Controlling spread

Control relies on removing seedlings before they set seed and improving turf or groundcover competition. Regular mowing or hand pulling reduces seed production. Persistent bare patches invite reinvasion so repair soil and plant competitive species to reduce reseeding.

Safety and uses

Not documented as highly toxic and historically used as a mild herbal infusion but this is not an endorsement for eating. Members of the aster family can trigger allergic contact reactions in sensitive people and pet safety is not well documented. Check with poison control or a veterinarian before feeding to animals.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Pineappleweed grow?: It can establish quickly from seed on disturbed compacted soil and form low mats within a single growing season, then persist by reseeding in suitable sites.
When does Pineappleweed bloom?: Bloom timing varies by region and climate but generally occurs in spring through summer with longer seasons in milder areas.
How do I stop it from coming back?: Remove plants before they set seed, repair bare soil, and establish competitive groundcover or turf to prevent reseeding and reinvasion.
Can I use it as a groundcover?: Yes for informal, low maintenance sites with compacted or poor soils where a self seeding groundcover is acceptable rather than a manicured appearance.
Is Pineappleweed safe for pets?: Pet safety is not well documented. Because of limited information check with poison control or your veterinarian before allowing pets to ingest the plant.