Growing Chamomile: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Introduction to Growing Chamomile

Chamomile is one of the oldest, most widely used, and well-documented medicinal plants in the world. Named "chamomile" from the Greek words meaning "ground apple" for its sweet, apple-like fragrance, this herb has been treasured for over 2,500 years for tea, medicine, and aromatherapy.

Two main types of chamomile are grown in gardens: German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), an annual that grows 2-3 feet tall, and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), a low-growing perennial that stays about 8 inches tall. Both produce similar daisy-like flowers with white petals and yellow centers, prized for making soothing tea.

Why Grow Chamomile?

Growing your own chamomile offers numerous benefits:

• Calming tea: Fresh or dried flowers make exceptional tea
• Easy to grow: One of the simplest herbs for beginners
• Self-seeding: German chamomile returns year after year
• Beautiful flowers: Cheerful daisy-like blooms
• Pollinator friendly: Attracts beneficial insects
• Medicinal uses: Centuries of traditional use
• Companion plant: Benefits vegetables nearby
• Low maintenance: Thrives with minimal care

Understanding Chamomile Types

Choosing between German and Roman chamomile is your first decision:

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Pro Tip: For tea production, grow German chamomile—it produces more flowers and is easier to harvest. For a living carpet or lawn alternative, choose Roman chamomile.

Popular Varieties

German Chamomile Varieties

Roman Chamomile Varieties

What You'll Need

Essential Supplies

• Chamomile seeds (or plants for Roman)
• Well-draining soil
• Sunny to partly shaded location
• Watering can or hose
• Containers (optional)

Optional but Helpful

• Seed starting trays
• Mulch
• Garden rake
• Harvesting basket
• Drying screen or dehydrator

Step-by-Step Growing Guide

Step 1: Choose the Right Time to Plant

German chamomile (from seed):

• Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost
• Direct sow after last frost danger passes
• Can also sow in fall for early spring growth

Roman chamomile (plants or divisions):

• Plant transplants in spring after frost
• Divide established plants in spring or fall

Temperature requirements:

Step 2: Select the Growing Location

Chamomile needs:

• Light: Full sun to partial shade (6+ hours sun)
• Protection: Some afternoon shade in hot climates
• Air circulation: Good airflow prevents disease

Key Point: In hot southern climates, chamomile benefits from afternoon shade. Too much heat causes flowers to droop.

Step 3: Prepare the Soil

Chamomile is adaptable but prefers:

• pH level: 5.6 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
• Texture: Sandy loam, well-draining
• Fertility: Average to poor (doesn't need rich soil)

Soil preparation:

Note: German chamomile actually tolerates poor soil, clay, and low nutrients better than many herbs!

Step 4: Planting Chamomile Seeds

Indoor starting:

1. Fill seed trays with moist seed-starting mix
2. Sprinkle tiny seeds on surface—do NOT cover
3. Seeds need light to germinate!
4. Keep moist with spray bottle
5. Germination takes 7-14 days
6. Transplant when 2-3 inches tall

Direct sowing:

1. Prepare soil surface and rake smooth
2. Scatter seeds lightly or sow in rows
3. Press gently into soil but don't bury
4. Keep moist until germination
5. Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart

Container planting:

1. Use a pot at least 8-12 inches wide
2. Fill with well-draining potting mix
3. Surface sow seeds
4. Place in bright location
5. Thin to 2-3 plants per pot

Step 5: Watering Correctly

Chamomile has moderate water needs:

• Seedlings: Keep consistently moist until established
• Established plants: Water when top inch of soil is dry
• Mature plants: Drought tolerant once established
• Containers: Check daily, water when dry

Watering schedule:

Step 6: Temperature and Sunlight

Optimal conditions:

Step 7: Feeding Your Chamomile

Chamomile needs minimal fertilization:

• At planting: Light compost if desired
• During growth: Usually no fertilizer needed
• Avoid: Heavy feeding (reduces oil content)
• Exception: Containers may need light feeding

Important: Over-fertilizing produces lush foliage but fewer flowers with weaker fragrance!

Basic Maintenance

Regular tasks:

• Thin seedlings to proper spacing
• Water during dry spells
• Remove weeds around young plants
• Pinch back for bushier growth (optional)
• Deadhead to extend blooming (or let self-seed)

Encouraging more flowers:

• Harvest regularly (promotes new blooms)
• Deadhead faded flowers
• Provide adequate water during flowering
• Don't over-fertilize

Common Problems and Solutions

Legginess / Flopping Over

• Cause: Too much shade, too much fertilizer
• Symptoms: Tall, weak stems that fall over
• Solution: More sun, less fertilizer, stake if needed

Few Flowers

• Cause: Over-fertilization, too much shade
• Symptoms: Lush foliage but sparse blooming
• Solution: Stop feeding, move to sunnier spot

Damping Off (Seedlings)

• Cause: Fungal disease in wet, cool soil
• Symptoms: Seedlings collapse at soil line
• Solution: Don't overwater, improve drainage, use clean containers

Aphids

• Cause: Common pest attracted to new growth
• Symptoms: Clusters of small insects, sticky residue
• Solution: Spray with water, insecticidal soap

Powdery Mildew

• Cause: Fungal disease in humid conditions
• Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves
• Solution: Improve air circulation, avoid wetting foliage

Harvesting Your Chamomile

When to Harvest

• Timing: When flowers are fully open (white petals straight out)
• Best stage: Just before the petals start to droop backward
• Time of day: Morning, after dew dries (best oil content)
• Frequency: Every 2-3 days during peak bloom

How to Harvest

1. Identify fully opened flowers
2. Pinch or snip flower heads from stems
3. Leave some flowers to self-seed (German chamomile)
4. Avoid picking flower heads with damaged petals
5. Collect in basket or container

Tip: A chamomile rake or comb makes harvesting faster for large amounts.

Drying and Storing Chamomile

Drying Methods

Air drying:

1. Spread flowers in single layer on screen
2. Place in warm, dry, dark location
3. Ensure good air circulation
4. Dry for 1-2 weeks until crispy

Dehydrator:

1. Set to lowest temperature (95-105°F / 35-40°C)
2. Spread flowers in single layer
3. Dry for 1-2 hours, checking frequently
4. Done when completely dry and crispy

Oven (not recommended):

• Most ovens too hot (degrades medicinal compounds)
• If using, lowest setting with door cracked

Storage

Making Chamomile Tea

Dried flowers:

• 1-2 teaspoons per cup of hot water
• Steep 5-10 minutes
• Strain and enjoy

Fresh flowers:

• 3-4 tablespoons per cup (use more fresh)
• Steep 5-8 minutes
• Don't over-steep (becomes bitter)

Quick Reference Table

Troubleshooting Guide

Conclusion

Chamomile is one of the easiest and most rewarding herbs to grow. Whether you choose German chamomile for abundant tea production or Roman chamomile as a fragrant ground cover, this ancient healing herb deserves a place in every garden.

Start with German chamomile seeds for the fastest path to homegrown tea—scatter them on the soil surface, keep moist, and in just 50-65 days you'll be harvesting flowers for your own calming brews.

Ready to level up? Check out our Intermediate Guide for information on propagation, variety selection, and companion planting strategies.