How To Grow Chamomile

Growing Chamomile: A Guide to This Gentle Powerhouse

Chamomile is that unassuming herb that quietly takes over your garden and your heart. It’s a plant equally at home in a sunny patch or tucked into the corner of your vegetable beds. Its flowers may look delicate, but don’t be fooled—this plant is resilient and ridiculously rewarding to grow.

Which Chamomile Should You Grow?

There are two main types of chamomile worth your time: German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). German chamomile is an annual, growing tall and wild, while Roman chamomile is a creeping perennial, perfect for pathways or as a groundcover.

If you’re after flowers for tea, German chamomile’s your go-to. Roman chamomile, on the other hand, thrives as a fragrant, low-growing addition to your landscaping.

Where to Plant Chamomile

Chamomile thrives in full sun, though it tolerates partial shade if you’re in a hot climate. I’ve grown it both ways, and while it prefers six to eight hours of sunlight, it can manage with less if the soil’s right.

Sandy, well-draining soil is best. This plant doesn’t like wet feet, so avoid clay-heavy areas unless you’re ready to amend. Add compost if your soil’s poor—you want something that holds moisture but never gets soggy.

Pro Tip:

Chamomile actually prefers soil that’s a little on the lean side. Over-fertilizing can lead to lush, floppy plants with fewer blossoms.

Starting Chamomile from Seed

Chamomile seeds are tiny, so don’t bury them deep. They need light to germinate, so sprinkle the seeds on the soil’s surface and gently press them down. If you cover them, do so with the thinnest layer imaginable.

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, or sow them directly outdoors once the soil warms up. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination, which usually takes about 7-14 days.

What Worked for Me:

One year, I scattered seeds in late spring and forgot about them. A week of warm weather and light rain later, I had an explosion of seedlings. Chamomile thrives on benign neglect—that’s part of its charm.

How to Care for Chamomile

Once established, chamomile is practically self-sufficient. Water it sparingly; the roots prefer to dry out between drinks. Overwatering can lead to root rot, and we don’t want that.

If you’re growing German chamomile, be prepared to stake it in windy areas. Those tall stems can topple, especially after a rainstorm. Roman chamomile, however, hugs the ground and is far more wind-resistant.

Dealing with Pests and Diseases

• Aphids: Blast them off with water or introduce ladybugs to keep them in check.
• Powdery Mildew: Occurs in overly humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

In my experience, chamomile is typically pest-resistant and fuss-free. If something’s bothering it, chances are your growing conditions need tweaking.

Harvesting Chamomile

To harvest, pluck the flowers when they’re fully open but not yet fading. Sometimes I catch myself in a trance, gently pinching off flowers as the scent fills the air—and suddenly half an afternoon is gone. It’s meditative work.

If you’re drying chamomile for tea, spread the flowers out in a single layer on a screen or tray in a cool, dark place. They should dry completely within a week, becoming crisp but retaining their golden centers.

Using Chamomile

Dried flowers make a soothing tea that’s excellent for winding down at the end of a long day. Fresh flowers can be steeped, too, though their flavor is less concentrated.

Chamomile also attracts beneficial insects, like hoverflies, to your garden. Plus, its beauty is undeniable—a soft, meadowy touch that makes your space feel timeless.

The Bottom Line

Growing chamomile is one of the simplest ways to bring a bit of magic into your life. It asks for so little—sun, space, and an occasional drink—but gives so much in return.

Growing chamomile has multiple benefits, both for medicinal and culinary purposes. In the garden, it's a low-maintenance and pest-resistant herb that flowers throughout the summer and attracts valuable beneficial insects. On the kitchen counter, it is a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of recipes, from tea to ice cream, to add flavor and delicate color. Medicinally, chamomile is a calming and soothing herb that can help reduce anxiety and is widely used to aid digestion. Additionally, chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which can provide relief for skin conditions, colds and more.