Plant Peace: How to Grow Chamomile for Relaxation and Health

Chamomile is known for it's calming properties.

Chamomile is a charming and versatile herb, renowned for its gentle, soothing qualities. Heavily marketed in the form of tea, beauty products, and candles, chamomile is also an easy herb to cultivate. With its pretty, daisy-like blooms and sweet apple-like scent, chamomile can add a bit of whimsy to our gardens and planters. Chamomile offers many health benefits, makes a great companion plant, invites beneficial pollinators to our garden, and helps deter mosquitos, flies, and ants.

Benefits of Growing Chamomile

1. Medicinal Uses: Chamomile is known for its calming properties and can be used to make teas, tinctures, and salves.

2. Aesthetic Appeal: Chamomile adds a charming touch to gardens with its daisy-like flowers and pleasant fragrance.

3. Companion Planting: Chamomile can be used as a companion plant to attract beneficial insects and improve the health of neighboring plants.

The first step to growing chamomile is deciding what kind(s) you want to grow. There are about 25 species of chamomile but two common types of chamomile typically grown for medicinal benefits are German and Roman (English) Chamomile. I grow both and after a couple of years of doing so, have Roman Chamomile sprout up all over the yard.

Types of Chamomile

1. German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): An annual plant that grows up to 3 feet tall and is known for its abundant blooms. It's commonly used for making tea and supports digestive health.

2. Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile): A perennial plant that grows low to the ground and is often used as a ground cover. It is mild in flavor, has medicinal uses, and is commonly used for its essential oils.

A resilient herb, chamomile requires minimal care and is a great choice for the most novice of gardeners. Once you have decided what type(s) of chamomile you want to grow, prepare your soil and consider garden placement.

Growing Conditions

1. Soil: Chamomile prefers well-drained, sandy, or loamy soil with a neutral pH. It can tolerate poor soil conditions but does best in fertile soil.

2. Sunlight: Chamomile thrives in full sun but can also grow in partial shade.

Whether you decide to purchase starts or grow your chamomile from seed, plant chamomile outside once all risk of frost has passed. A good resource guide to help determine when to plant is https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar. While not all herbs are included in this planting calendar, you will get a general idea of what to expect for your area.

Growing chamomile from seed is easy.

Planting Chamomile

1. Seeds or Transplants: Chamomile can be grown from seeds or transplants. If starting from seeds, sow them directly in the garden in early spring or start them indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost.

2. Depth: Sow seeds on the surface of the soil and lightly press them down. Chamomile seeds need light to germinate, so do not cover them with soil. If you are worried about them drying out, sprinkle a little vermiculite (which will allow light for germination) and spritz with water.

3. Spacing: Space plants about 8-12 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth.

4. Companion Planting: Chamomile pairs well with mint and basil, improving their essential oil production and flavor. Planting chamomile next to brassicas can help mask the brassica scent that attracts cabbage moths and worms.
   

Once your chamomile is established, daisy-like flowers will start to bloom and with a little maintenance and pruning, flowers will continue to flourish.

Chamomile flowers are cheerful and attract pollinators.

Care and Maintenance

1. Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Chamomile is drought-tolerant once established, but young plants need consistent moisture.

2. Weeding: Keep the area around chamomile plants free of weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.

3. Fertilization: Chamomile does not require heavy fertilization. A light application of compost or a balanced organic fertilizer in the spring should be sufficient.

4. Pests and Diseases: Chamomile is generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, keep an eye out for aphids and mildew. When needed, use natural remedies such as neem oil or insecticidal soap to control pests.

5. Pruning: Regularly deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding, which can lead to unwanted spread.

Now that you have high-producing chamomile plants, it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! While the flowers are the primary part used for tea, the leaves and stems can also be used. However, they have a much milder flavor, contain fewer beneficial compounds than flowers, and are often less desirable due to their slightly bitter taste. Flowers contain the highest concentration of beneficial compounds, including essential oils, flavonoids, and antioxidants.

Chamomile flowers ready for harvest.

Harvesting

1. When to Harvest: Harvest chamomile flowers when they are fully open but before they start to fade. This is when they have the highest concentration of essential oils.

2. How to Harvest: Use scissors or your fingers to snip the flowers just below the base. Harvest regularly to encourage more blooms.

3. Drying: Dry the harvested flowers in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Once fully dried, store them in an airtight container for use in teas and other remedies.

Dried chamomile will taste best if used within a year.

Growing chamomile is like planting peace. It's a simple and rewarding gardening endeavor that can provide you with beautiful blooms and a variety of health benefits. Whether you’re looking to create calming teas, attract beneficial insects, or simply add a touch of charm to your garden, chamomile is a perfect choice. Happy growing!