Growing Chamomile: How to Cultivate Healthy, Abundant Blooms

Why I Grow Chamomile

Chamomile sparks conversation every season in my beds—its apple-scented blossoms sing summer even in bustling city courtyards.

For centuries, gardeners and apothecaries have prized Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) and Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile) for their soothing tea and landscape charm.

“Chamomile, once established, will thrive on neglect—so long as you never forget about drainage.” — Steve Albert, author of Herb Gardening for Beginners

Choosing the Right Chamomile—A Quick Comparison

• German chamomile: Annual, tall and wispy, prolific bloomer, tea superstar.
• Roman chamomile: Perennial, low-growing, makes an aromatic groundcover, milder taste.

If you’re torn, German wins for tea drinkers, Roman for those seeking a fragrant, walkable mat.

How to Grow Chamomile from Seed

Start with fresh, organic seed—don’t let that packet languish in a drawer past its prime.

Sow directly in the garden after last frost, or start indoors four weeks ahead for an early jump.

1. Scatter seeds—they need light, so don’t bury. Press gently into moist, fine-textured soil.
2. Mist with water (never drench) to avoid soggy conditions and damping off disease.
3. Maintain 65-70°F (18-21°C). Seeds pop in 7–14 days.
4. Thin seedlings to 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) apart for airflow and light penetration once established.

I’ve found self-sown chamomile reappears for years if you let one or two bloom out and scatter themselves.

Soil and Sun—The Foundation for Blooms

Chamomile despises heavy, wet clay. Amend with sharp sand or fine grit if puddles linger after rain.

Give it sun—minimum six hours daily. In hot climates, partial afternoon shade prevents scorching.

Watering Routine and Fertility

Chamomile roots sulk in soggy soil but resent drought in extreme heat. Once/cheeky twice a week deep soakings suffice; let the top inch (2.5 cm) dry before rewatering.

Overfeeding leads to floppy stems and few flowers. I skip the compost pile in spring, fertilize only if leaves yellow or plants seem stunted.

Pruning, Preventing Disease, and Handling Pests

Pinch back tips early to encourage bushy growth—more stems equals more blooms at picking time.

Powdery mildew can haunt humid gardens. Increase air flow by thinning, and water at the base, never overhead.

Aphids rarely bother chamomile, but a blast from the hose or a dab of insecticidal soap ends their siesta.

Harvesting for Maximum Blooms

For best flavor and medicinal value, harvest flowers at midday, after dew has dried but before afternoon heat.

Use your fingers or scissors. Pick often—removing spent blooms (“deadheading”) triggers the plant to push more flowers.

Dry swiftly on a mesh rack in a dark, airy spot. Stored correctly, dried chamomile keeps its aroma and potency for up to a year.

Best Varieties of Chamomile for Home Growers

• Bodegold (German): High yield, recovers quickly after picking.
• Zloty Lan (German): Polish variety with large, fragrant blooms.
• Treneague (Roman): Low-growing, spreads thickly, nearly sterile so less weeding.

From my trials, Bodegold out-blooms its peers if you want to fill tea caddies all season long.

Companion Planting and Alternatives

Chamomile mingles well with cabbage, onions, and brassicas—said to repel insects and enhance flavor, according to the Royal Horticultural Society.

If space is tight or you crave variety, consider lemon balm, calendula, or feverfew—herbs with similar growing needs and pollinator power.

Frequently Asked Questions on Growing Chamomile

• How long does chamomile take to flower? German varieties flower 6–10 weeks from sowing. Roman takes longer first year, then carpets beds each spring afterwards.
• Should I grow chamomile in pots? Absolutely. Use a gritty potting mix in at least a 10-inch (25-cm) wide container.
• Does chamomile attract bees? Yes—hoverflies, honeybees, and solitary bees adore the pollen-rich blooms.
• Where can I buy the best chamomile seed? Look for certified organic sources like Johnny’s Selected Seeds or Baker Creek; avoid overheated big box racks where germination rates plummet.

One Statistic You Can't Ignore

German chamomile yields up to 1,100 blossoms per 10 square feet (1 square meter) in a single season if picked regularly—enough to supply 300 cups of tea, according to the United States National Arboretum.

Anecdotes From the Beds

One summer, I challenged myself to stop watering a patch of Roman chamomile after June. It didn’t flinch. The blooms sprawled and multiplied, dwarfing my fussed-over annuals—proof that chamomile, like a good bartender, knows how to handle drought and still deliver a show.

Final Firsthand Fact

The old herbalists were right: grow chamomile once, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t sow it sooner. From its daisy-bright flowers to its self-seeding swagger, chamomile’s an easy keeper with outsized rewards.

Growing Chamomile rewards a gardener with more than just delicate flowers—it offers calm evenings, fragrant teas, and a touch of old-world charm. With well-drained soil, full sun, and an easy hand at watering, you’ll have healthy, abundant blooms that practically look after themselves. Pay attention to deadheading and gentle harvesting to keep those flowers coming. Give it space and keep weeds in check—chamomile is tough, but a little care goes a long way. Cultivating this herb is straightforward, much like growing thyme; both thrive on a laid-back approach and a bit of sun. With chamomile in your garden, you’re never far from a fresh cup or a reason to slow down.