Skip to content
PlantSage.eu
ENRO
IIIFolio · plant profile№ C157medicinal · edible
Data provenancePermapeopleTrefleWikipediaPFAFPOWOeditorially reviewedreviewed 13 Jul 2026methodology → read
Home/Plants

Mayweed

Anthemis cotula
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
medicinaledibleannualediblemedicinal
Updated·Quick Q&A →
Garden journal pausedUse profile notes below
Anthemis cotula (Mayweed) — botanical photograph
Pl. C157 — Anthemis cotula
Anthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotulaAnthemis cotula
I

Overview

Mayweed (Anthemis cotula) is an annual herb that thrives in a variety of habitats across Europe and into Asia, from the Mediterranean to Central Russia. Native to Albania, Algeria, Austria, and other parts of Eastern and Western Europe, this plant has adapted well to diverse climates. Known for its edible leaves, which can be used fresh or dried, Mayweed is also appreciated for its ornamental value in gardens. One distinctive feature of this plant is its light requirement; it thrives best in full sun. Additionally, its adaptability to different soil types and water conditions—from dry to moist—makes it a resilient choice for gardeners. With a height of up to 0.6 meters, Mayweed can add a touch of greenery to any sunny spot while providing a culinary treat.

Quick answers

What is Mayweed?

Mayweed (Anthemis cotula) is an annual herb that thrives in a variety of habitats across Europe and into Asia, from the Mediterranean to Central Russia. Native to Albania, Algeria, Austria, and other parts of Eastern and Western Europe, this plant has adapted well to diverse climates.

What is Mayweed used for?

Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.

Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Mayweed
Jump to full evidence →
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
II

Benefits & evidence

1 claim · traditional-use context
Traditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
  • Traditional-use note: Mayweed appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.

    Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.

    ▲ LimitedDigestion →
IV·b

Mixology suggestions

1 draft
Editorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Stress Relief
stress
tincture
Historically used for calming the mind and reducing anxiety.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Mayweed thrives in full sun and prefers well-draining soil that is medium to heavy (clay). It can tolerate dry conditions but benefits from moist soil as well. This annual plant grows up to 0.6 meters tall and is hardy in zones 4-8, making it suitable for temperate regions. Propagate Mayweed through seeds sown directly in the garden after the last frost. Harvest its edible leaves throughout the growing season for culinary use.
Light
Full sun
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Annual
Mature size
0.6 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow Mayweed for the first time

8steps

Mayweed is a straightforward annual plant for beginners, requiring minimal care and attention.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or seedlings, a small trowel, and a watering can.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in late spring after the last frost, when temperatures are warm.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Choose a well-draining soil with medium or heavy texture. Ensure containers have drainage holes.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds 1 cm deep in rows 30-45 cm apart, or transplant seedlings into the garden.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Thin plants if they overcrowd each other.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Mayweed prefers full sun and dry to moist conditions. Water only when necessary, and mulch to retain moisture.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent the plant from going to seed.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in poor drainage soil, and not providing enough sunlight are common pitfalls for beginners.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: Tea
Other uses:DyeFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

54 native · 93 introduced
Distribution across4 continents· 54 native· 93 introduced
Europe27 regions
native (23)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaCyprusDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraine
introduced (4)IrelandPortugalSpainUnited Kingdom
Asia11 regions
native (6)IranIraqKazakhstanPalestineSaudi ArabiaTurkey
introduced (5)ChinaGeorgiaJapanPakistanSouth Korea
Americas7 regions
introduced (7)BoliviaCubaDominican RepublicHondurasParaguayUnited StatesUruguay
Africa5 regions
native (5)AlgeriaEgyptLibyaMoroccoTunisia
Broader regions
native:Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Sinai, Transcaucasus, Turkey-in-Europe, Yugoslavia
introduced:Alabama, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, California, Cape Provinces, Chatham Is., Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Falkland Is., Florida, Free State, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Juan Fernández Is., Kansas, Kentucky, KwaZulu-Natal, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nansei-shoto, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New South Wales, New York, New Zealand North, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Provinces, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Queensland, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Australia, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tasmania, Tennessee, Texas, Tristan da Cunha, Utah, Vermont, Victoria, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yukon
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Anthemis cotula (Mayweed) — botanical photograph
Mayweed (Anthemis cotula)
X

See also

8 related
XI

Explore further

Companion planting
Growing zone
XII

About this entry

Last updated
Citation
How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · c157b384-4898-44ab-9a28-887cc7813df5
Decision aid
Choosing between Mayweed and something else?
Compare with another plant

Continue reading

❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates

Get archive updates

Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.

Newsletter returning soon.
We are rebuilding the update list around a lightweight editorial workflow. New dispatches will resume after the next content review cycle.
iCare notes