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How to Plant and Grow The Herb Chamomile

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May 15, 2021 by Elizabeth 27 Comments

Chamomile is a popular herb with cute white flowers. Known especially for its use in tea, chamomile is easy to grow and can be started indoors or sown into the soil easily. Learn how to plant, grow and care for this beautiful flowering herb. With so many benefits, chamomile is a must in your garden.

Close-up of chamomile growing in a garden.

Planting and Growing Chamomile Herbs

Chamomile produces tiny seeds that germinate easily. It has a lovely sweet smell, similar to the smell of apples. Starting this plant indoors or out is fairly easy, and these plants are a wonderful addition to any garden. It’s a great option for beginner gardeners who want to get into herb gardening.

German Chamomile versus Roman Chamomile

Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is also known as English or Russian Chamomile. This variety is a perennial low growing herb. It is hardy and can grow in zones 4-11. Commonly used as a groundcover or even a replacement for grass, they come back year after year and spread pretty easily through their root system. 

German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is considered the false chamomile variety, even though it is commonly grown as the herb chamomile. This annual grows little white daisy flowers, and is used commonly in herb gardens and cottage gardens.

Starting Chamomile Seeds

Both German and Roman Chamomile have tiny seeds that germinate rather quickly. Germination for chamomile usually takes 7-14 days.

These plants can germinate well in lower temperatures, such as 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Starting seeds indoors, 2-4 weeks before the last frost, can give your chamomile a head start.

German chamomile will need about 12 inches of spacing between each plant and will get up to 18 inches high.

Roman chamomile can grow similarly to grass or any other groundcover, and will continue to expand through its root system, year after year. 

>>>Related: A Beginner’s Guide to Starting Seeds Indoors

Soil and Sun Requirements

Chamomile enjoys soil with a pH of 5.6-7.5, so slightly acidic but mainly neutral. They like rich, organic soil that drains well. This herb can survive in soil that’s not as rich, but won’t thrive and will have a weaker plant.

Chamomile loves full sun locations but can do well in partial shade. If you live in a warm area, afternoon shade would offer the best support for these plants.

chamomile growing in a field.

Caring for Chamomile

When young, this herb likes to be watered frequently but does not like to have wet roots. Allow your plants to dry out a bit between watering, although on hot days chamomile prefers to be overwatered. Once established, chamomile can tolerate some drought-like conditions. 

Chamomile does not need fertilizer to grow, in fact it grows quickly and can actually become invasive. Planting them and growing them in containers is a great way to keep it from overtaking a garden. 

Companion Planting with Chamomile

This plant is great at attracting pollinators to your garden. Chamomile provides anti-bacterial and anti-fungal benefits, helping to rid plants of mold and mildew. It is also known for its ability to repel pests from cucumbers.

Plant Chamomile with: cabbage, onions, beans, cucumbers, broccoli, kale and brussel sprouts.

>>>Related: 9 Flowers You Should Grow in Your Vegetable Garden

Pests and Diseases

Chamomile is not prone to many diseases or pests. However, thrips and aphids can occasionally cause a problem. Both pests can be repelled from the plant with some insecticidal soap. 

How to Harvest Chamomile Flowers

When harvesting, you will want to harvest the flowers and not the stems or the leaves.

On both plants, flowers can start to form as early as 6-8 weeks and will continue to flower throughout the summer. Harvesting will be a continuous project all summer long. Removing the blossoms with also encourage more blooming. 

Chamomile flowers are ready to harvest when they fully bloom. Slightly wilted flowers, or flowers that have not opened fully will not offer as many benefits as those that are in full bloom. 

Pinch off the flowers with your fingers and be sure to get as many flowers are you can. During the summer, you will end up with tons of chamomile flowers.

chamomile flowers harvesting and sitting on a table.

Drying Your Chamomile Flowers

Chamomile flowers are great for teas and tinctures. You will want to be sure to dry out the flower heads before using. You can lay them out to dry in dark, dry, cool area, or you can dry them in a dehydrator. 

I store my herbs in large glass mason jars in a cabinet for later use. 

WANT MORE HERB GROWING TIPS? Be sure to check out this Planting and Growing Guide to Lavender. You may also want to read the Benefits of Growing the Herb Borage. 

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How to grow the herb chamomile pinnable image with text overlay.

 

Related posts:

How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Nasturtiums
8 of the Easiest Vegetables to Grow for Beginners
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Filed Under: Garden, Herbs Tagged With: beginner gardening, Companion Planting, edible gardening

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Terra Booth says

    May 17, 2021 at 7:09 pm

    I am an avid gardener, but have never tried to grow chamomile before! I am going to have to give this a try!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      May 19, 2021 at 5:14 pm

      You should! It’s super east to grow!

      Reply
  2. Tammy Horvath says

    May 17, 2021 at 7:16 pm

    I love that it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal benefits.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      May 19, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      Me too!

      Reply
  3. Alicia says

    May 17, 2021 at 8:30 pm

    It’s interesting that it can rid plants of mold! How cool! And the little flowers are so pretty!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      May 19, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      Right? It’s such a great little plant. Thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  4. Megan says

    May 17, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    I love chamomile. I’m not good at growing it (I’ve tried in a kit I got once), but I do love chamomile tea!

    Reply
  5. Allison Peteet says

    May 17, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    I love chamomile! Thanks for the tips. Now all I need is a green thumb.

    Reply
  6. Sabrina says

    May 17, 2021 at 10:41 pm

    Thanks for sharing all this wonderful information about a tea I occasionally use to help me sleep. I had no idea how easy they are to plant, care for, and to make into tea. I enjoyed reading all this useful information.

    Reply
  7. Sabrina DeWalt says

    May 18, 2021 at 2:52 am

    Plants that attract pollinators are some of my favorites.

    Reply
  8. Holly B says

    May 18, 2021 at 4:11 am

    I grow chamomile every year in my garden! Thank you for sharing your great tips and advice!

    Reply
  9. Keirsten says

    May 18, 2021 at 4:43 am

    You make it sound so simple and like someone like me who can’t keep bamboo alive could do this haha. I do agree though, chamomile has such sweet pretty flowers. Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
  10. Cindy says

    May 18, 2021 at 6:34 pm

    What great information. I love camomile.

    Reply
  11. Stephanie says

    May 18, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    Great tips and details. Although I drink chamomile tea, it never occurred to me that it was a flower!

    Reply
  12. Tiffany says

    May 18, 2021 at 10:29 pm

    I might add this to next year’s garden plans!

    Reply
  13. Kristen W Allred says

    May 18, 2021 at 11:24 pm

    Chamomile tea is so wonderful. I didn’t know the flower was this beautiful. Great post!

    Reply
  14. Lisa Manderino says

    May 19, 2021 at 1:08 am

    It is pretty and has so many great uses!

    Reply
  15. danielle nieman says

    May 19, 2021 at 5:21 pm

    I’ve never even thought of growing these types of herbs but I love the idea!! Thanks for the tips and info!

    Reply
  16. Barbara says

    May 20, 2021 at 4:00 am

    I drink chamomile tea. I had no idea it looks like a daisy! How interesting!

    Reply
  17. Marianne says

    May 21, 2021 at 2:25 pm

    I have not tried to grow chamomile yet, but it sound like it would be easy. I will definitely remember to pot it, as I am currently trying to tame the rogue mint my Hubby planted! LOL

    Reply
  18. Danielle Ardizzone says

    May 23, 2021 at 12:25 am

    My girls love chamomile tea – never thought about growing it ourselves. Thanks!

    Reply
  19. Cindy Moore says

    May 24, 2021 at 5:44 am

    My chamomile is blooming! I’ve been growing it for several years. Love drinking chamomile tea.

    Reply
  20. Maya says

    May 24, 2021 at 12:14 pm

    Love gardening. Have not tried Chamomile yet.Inspired to try after reading your post. Thank you.

    Reply
  21. Kristin says

    May 24, 2021 at 5:55 pm

    Super informative! I have never tried growing chamomile before.

    Reply
  22. Misskorang says

    May 26, 2021 at 1:40 am

    Chamomile tea so relaxes me! This post opened my eyes a lot more to chamomile

    Reply
  23. Tina says

    July 8, 2021 at 6:38 pm

    My chamomile plant has not grown flowers yet. I’ve had it since end of May. It’s in a pot. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      July 9, 2021 at 7:18 pm

      If your soil has too much nitrogen, or is too nutrient rich, it can affect chamomile from blooming.

      Reply

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