Chamomile Growing: Intermediate Techniques for Abundant Harvests

Introduction

You've successfully grown chamomile and want to maximize your harvests. This intermediate guide covers variety selection for different purposes, companion planting strategies, detailed pest and disease management, and methods for preserving and using your chamomile crop.

Advanced Variety Selection

Understanding Chamomile Chemistry

The medicinal value of chamomile comes from its chemical compounds:

Compound	Source	Benefits
Chamazulene	Essential oil (blue)	Anti-inflammatory
α-Bisabolol	Essential oil	Antibacterial, wound healing
Apigenin	Flavonoid	Sedative, anxiety relief
Matricin	Precursor compound	Converts to chamazulene

Choosing Varieties by Purpose

For tea production:

Bodegold: Large flowers, high yield
Zloty Lan: Strong flavor, high oil content
Standard German: Reliable, easy to find

For essential oil production:

Zloty Lan: Highest essential oil content (0.8-1.5%)
Goral: High bisabolol content
Bodegold: Good oil yield

For ground cover (Roman):

Treneague: Non-flowering, forms dense mat
Standard Roman: Fragrant when walked upon

For medicinal use:

Goral: High bisabolol (healing)
Zloty Lan: High chamazulene (anti-inflammatory)

Diploid vs. Tetraploid Varieties

Type	Examples	Characteristics
Diploid	Germania, Bona	Standard chromosome number, smaller
Tetraploid	Bodegold, Zloty Lan, Goral	Double chromosomes, larger plants and flowers

Note: Tetraploid varieties were developed through colchicine treatment and generally produce larger flowers with higher essential oil content.

Companion Planting with Chamomile

Beneficial Companions

Chamomile is known as the "plant doctor" for its ability to benefit nearby plants:

Vegetable companions:

Companion	Benefit
Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli)	Attracts beneficial insects, may improve flavor
Onions	Traditional companion, may boost growth
Cucumbers	Attracts pollinators
Beans	Compatible, adds nitrogen
Squash	Attracts pollinators

Herb companions:

Herb	Compatibility	Notes
Basil	Good	Different water needs
Mint	Use with caution	Mint can be aggressive
Lavender	Excellent	Similar needs
Thyme	Good	Mediterranean companion

Plants to Avoid Near Chamomile

Plant	Why to Avoid
Mint	Aggressive, can overtake
Fennel	May inhibit chamomile growth

The "Plant Doctor" Effect

Chamomile has a traditional reputation for helping sick plants:

Planted near stressed plants, may aid recovery
Root exudates may benefit soil microbes
Attracts beneficial insects that control pests

Propagation Methods

Growing from Seed (German Chamomile)

Best practice:

Surface sow—seeds need light
Maintain 60-70°F (15-21°C)
Keep moist but not wet
Germination: 7-14 days
Thin to 6-8 inches apart

Succession planting:

Sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest
Last sowing 8-10 weeks before first frost

Division (Roman Chamomile)

When: Spring or fall

How:

Dig up established clump
Divide into sections with roots
Replant immediately
Water well
Keep moist until established

Allowing Self-Seeding

German chamomile self-seeds prolifically:

Leave some flowers to set seed
Seeds fall and overwinter
New plants emerge in spring
Can become slightly weedy (manage by removing unwanted seedlings)

Pest and Disease Management

Common Pests

Aphids

Sign	Treatment
Clusters on stems and flowers	Strong water spray
Sticky honeydew	Insecticidal soap
Ants present	Address aphid population

Note: Aphids are attracted to chamomile. Always wash harvested flowers before use!

Thrips

Sign	Treatment
Silvery streaks on petals	Neem oil
Distorted flowers	Remove affected blooms

Disease Management

Damping Off

Aspect	Details
Conditions	Wet, cold, poorly drained
Symptoms	Seedlings collapse at soil line
Prevention	Clean containers, good drainage
Treatment	Remove affected plants, improve conditions

Powdery Mildew

Aspect	Details
Conditions	Humid, poor air circulation
Symptoms	White powdery coating
Prevention	Good spacing, airflow
Treatment	Remove affected parts, sulfur spray

Botrytis Blight (Gray Mold)

Aspect	Details
Conditions	High humidity, crowded plants
Symptoms	Gray fuzzy growth on flowers
Prevention	Good spacing, avoid wetting flowers
Treatment	Remove affected parts, improve airflow

Root Rot

Aspect	Details
Conditions	Waterlogged soil
Symptoms	Yellowing, wilting, dark roots
Prevention	Well-draining soil
Treatment	Improve drainage, remove affected plants

Maximizing Harvest

Harvest Timing

Optimal flower stage:

White petals straight out from center
Yellow center not yet cone-shaped
Just before petals bend backward
About 2/3 of tubular flowers open

Best time of day:

Morning after dew dries
OR midday when flowers fully open
Avoid harvesting in afternoon heat

Harvest Techniques

Hand picking:

Pinch flower heads at stem
Collect in basket or bowl
Work through patch every 2-3 days
Regular harvesting promotes more blooms

Chamomile rake/comb:

For larger harvests
Pull comb through flowers
Collects heads quickly
Some stem material included

Yield Expectations

Growing Method	Expected Yield
Home garden (10 sq ft)	1-2 oz dried flowers
Small bed (50 sq ft)	6-10 oz dried flowers
Large planting (100+ sq ft)	1+ lb dried flowers

Preservation Methods

Drying Chamomile

Air drying (best quality):

Spread flowers single layer on screen
Place in warm, dry, dark location
Temperature: 70-80°F (21-27°C)
Good air circulation essential
Dry 1-2 weeks until crispy
Store immediately when dry

Dehydrator drying:

Setting	Time	Quality
95-105°F (35-40°C)	1-2 hours	Excellent
110-125°F (43-52°C)	1 hour	Good
Higher temps	Not recommended	Degrades oils

Testing for dryness:

Flowers should crumble easily
Stems should snap, not bend
No moisture when squeezed

Freezing Chamomile

Method:

Harvest fresh flowers
Spread on baking sheet
Freeze until solid
Transfer to freezer bags
Use within 6 months

Note: Frozen flowers are less suitable for tea but work for other uses.

Making Chamomile Products

Chamomile tea blend:

Dried chamomile flowers
Optional: dried lavender, mint, lemon balm
Store in airtight container
Use 1-2 tsp per cup

Chamomile tincture:

Fill jar 1/2 with dried flowers
Cover with 80-proof vodka
Seal and store in dark place 4-6 weeks
Shake daily
Strain and bottle

Chamomile infused oil:

Fill jar with dried flowers (not fresh—causes mold)
Cover with carrier oil (olive, jojoba)
Steep 2-4 weeks in warm place
Strain and store
Use for skin applications

Seasonal Care Calendar

Season	Tasks
Early Spring	Start seeds indoors, prepare beds
Late Spring	Direct sow seeds, transplant seedlings
Summer	Harvest flowers regularly, water during dry spells
Late Summer	Continue harvest, allow some to self-seed
Fall	Final harvest, collect seeds, prepare for winter
Winter	Plan next year, order seeds

Saving Chamomile Seeds

Collecting Seeds

Allow flower heads to fully mature (petals fall, center browns)
Cut entire seed head when dry
Place in paper bag
Dry completely
Shake or rub to release seeds
Winnow to remove chaff

Seed Storage

Factor	Recommendation
Container	Paper envelope or glass jar
Location	Cool, dark, dry
Temperature	40-50°F ideal
Viability	3-4 years

Conclusion

Mastering chamomile growing involves understanding variety selection, optimizing growing conditions, and developing efficient harvesting and preservation techniques. With the skills in this guide, you'll enjoy abundant harvests of this ancient healing herb.

Ready for more? Our Advanced Guide covers intensive production methods, essential oil chemistry, and commercial growing strategies.