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Chamomile flower (Matricaria recutita) in the garden.
Cute as a button, but far more versatile, chamomile is famously used in sleepy-time brews, but growing it is anything but a snore. This multipurpose plant is edible, but it also attracts pollinators and looks great in bouquets. And there are two beginner-friendly varieties to try in your garden!
The Matricaria genus includes about 25 species of chamomile, but only two types of chamomile are commonly grown in gardens:
- German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is an annual plant that maxes out at around 2 feet high and is often grown in flower beds or used in companion planting. This edible plant also produces fragrant yellow and white blooms that are magnets for pollinators, and its slightly sweet, herbal flavor is highly prized in teas!
- Roman or English chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a perennial plant that grows low to the ground and is often used as a fragrant groundcover, border plant, or grass alternative in low-traffic lawns. Winter hardy in Zones 4 and up, Roman is edible and pollinator-friendly, but its daisy-like flowers are less commonly used in teas due to their slightly bitter flavor.
Chamomile plants of all sorts belong to the Aster family, and they’re closely related to daisies, sunflowers, and similar plants. These fast-growing flowers are native to Europe and Western Asia, where they grow wild in sunny meadows and disturbed areas. However, these plants also thrive in gardens and pots, and they tolerate full sun or part shade, poor soil, and drought, and they’re even pest and deer-resistant.
Although chamomile flowers are usually brewed into teas, they can also be infused into food, baths, and skin care products, and bitter-tasting leaves are sometimes used in beer-making too. Of course, if you don’t want to eat or drink chamomile, you can also grow these plants for natural dye, cut flowers, or pressing, or simply use them to brighten up your flower beds!
Growing
One of the best ways to use chamomile in the garden is as a companion plant. Not only do their flowers attract pollinators and beneficial bugs, but they can also protect other crops from destructive pests. If you want to get the most companion planting benefits out of chamomile, try growing it near crops like cucumbers, brassicas, and other herbs, and use these care tips to keep your chamomile in bloom!
Light
Both Roman and German chamomile grow and flower best in full sun locations, but they also tolerate light shade. Chamomile can be sensitive to extreme heat, so you may want to grow it in an area that receives partial afternoon shade if you live in a hot climate.
Water
Newly planted chamomile needs to be watered regularly with about 1 inch of water per week. However, established plants are relatively drought tolerant, and they may only need water during long periods of dry weather.
Fertilizer
Chamomile plants are light feeders that generally don’t need fertilizer. In fact, growing these plants in overly rich soil can cause them to produce leggy growth and floppy stems. That said, soil that’s super poor in nutrients can also lead to weak growth. But this can be prevented by amending less-than-ideal soil with a bit of compost before planting!
Humidity
High humidity can sometimes prove challenging to chamomile plants and lead to problems like powdery mildew. The best way to prevent these issues is to follow proper spacing guidelines and to keep chamomile leaves dry by watering plants at the soil line.
Seasonal Care
German varieties can withstand light frosts, but they won’t survive long periods of cold weather or heavy freezes. These plants should be removed from gardens and composted when they die back in fall. However, you can also move potted German chamomile into a well-lit window indoors if you want to keep it around a little longer.
Roman varieties typically survive winter with minimal attention, although potted plants are more vulnerable to cold. If you’re growing potted Roman chamomile in a cold climate, consider bringing your plants into a well-lit indoor location for the winter. Or protect your plant’s roots by wrapping the plant’s pot in an old blanket or burying the pot in your garden before the ground freezes.
Propagation
Roman chamomile is usually propagated via root division, while German chamomile can be grown from seeds collected from your garden!
Dividing Roman Chamomile
- When Roman chamomile starts actively growing in spring, carefully dig up a portion of your plants.
- Using a spade or garden shears, divide the plants into smaller sections that each have healthy stems and roots.
- Replant the divided plants as soon as possible, and water them regularly until they’re well-established!
Saving German Chamomile Seeds
- Allow chamomile flowers to dry on your plants.
- Snip the flowers off the plant and into a perforated paper bag.
- Leave the top of the bag open and allow the flowers to fully dry for a week or two in a warm, dry location.
- Use your finger to rub the dried seeds free from the faded flowers, discard the old blooms, and store the seeds in a labeled and dated paper envelope until spring.
- Seeds usually stay fresh for 3 to 4 years when they’re stored in a cool, dry location.
- If you don’t want to collect seeds, you can leave the flower heads intact and allow German varieties to self-sow!
Harvesting
Chamomile is a cut-and-come-again herb that blooms from spring through early fall and is more productive with frequent harvesting. Just wait for the blooms to fully open, then pinch or cut the flowers off the plant’s stems, and leave the rest of the stems in place to rebloom. If possible, take in your harvests at midday when the weather is warm and dry, and be sure to leave some flowers in place for hungry bees!
Storing Chamomile
Chamomile flowers can be used, fresh or dry, in herbal teas, but they don’t last long in the fridge. If you want to keep chamomile flowers around for a while, spread them on screens or racks in a warm, dry location and cover them with a light layer of cheesecloth to keep the dust away. Let the flowers dry for 1 to 2 weeks until they’re fully dried and brittle, and then store them in airtight containers in a cool, dark spot until you need them.
Types
Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile):
- Growth Habit: Low-growing, spreading perennial that forms a dense groundcover.
- Uses: Popular as a groundcover, in herb gardens, or as a lawn alternative.
- Aroma: Sweet, fruity, warm, and herbaceous.
- Flowers: Smaller white blossoms with a yellow center.
- Life Cycle: A long-lived perennial that thrives for multiple years.
- Other Names: Also known as Anthemis nobilis.
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita):
- Growth Habit: Upright annual, growing up to 2–3 feet tall.
- Uses: Frequently brewed into tea and used in herbal remedies.
- Aroma: Strong, with a rich apple-like fragrance.
- Flowers: Larger white blooms with a distinct cone-shaped yellow center.
- Life Cycle: Completes its growth within a single season (annual).
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