Chamomile

Overview

Chamomile might be the most practical healing herb you can grow. Both German and Roman varieties offer that classic apple-scented calm we know from bedtime teas, but here’s the thing – you can grow enough in a few pots to skip those $7 boxes at the store entirely. German chamomile gives you buckets of flowers for drying (it’s what’s in most commercial teas), while Roman chamomile forms a fragrant groundcover that comes back year after year. Choose based on your needs: German for volume, Roman for permanence.

Where & How to Plant

Pick a sunny spot with decent drainage – chamomile hates wet feet more than anything. Both types thrive in containers (12-inch minimum for German, 18-inch for Roman’s spreading habit). Use regular potting mix with extra perlite mixed in for drainage. In raised beds, just ensure the soil drains well; if your native soil stays soggy, plant in a raised mound. German chamomile can handle average soil and even prefers it lean. Roman chamomile appreciates a bit more organic matter but nothing fancy. Neither needs rich soil – too much nitrogen makes them tall and floppy without extra blooms.

Germination & Propagation

Chamomile seeds are tiny and need light to germinate – don’t bury them. Sprinkle on the soil surface after your last frost when temperatures stay above 55°F, press gently, and keep moist with a mister. Seeds sprout in 7–14 days. You can start indoors 3–6 weeks early under lights if you want a head start. Thin seedlings to 4–8 inches apart once they’re 2 inches tall. Roman chamomile also spreads by rooting stems – you can dig and divide established clumps in early spring to expand your patch.

Sunlight & Watering

Full sun produces the most flowers, though both types tolerate light shade (Roman handles it better). In very hot climates, some afternoon shade actually helps. Water regularly during establishment – about 1 inch per week total. Once mature, German chamomile handles dry spells fine. Roman chamomile prefers more consistent moisture but still won’t tolerate soggy soil. In containers, expect to water more frequently, possibly daily in hot weather. Check by sticking your finger half an inch into the soil – if it’s dry, water.

Harvest

The sweet spot for harvesting is when flowers are fully open with petals just starting to bend backward slightly. Don’t wait until petals droop completely – you’ll lose potency. Morning harvest after dew dries gives you the strongest oils. German chamomile produces continuously for 1–2 months if you keep picking every few days. Roman chamomile yields less but still provides enough for personal use. Pinch or snip just the flower heads, leaving stems behind. Handle gently to preserve those precious oils. (See our guide to drying herbs..)

Herbal Actions

Traditional calming, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, mild sedative, digestive soother. German chamomile tends toward stronger anti-inflammatory effects (higher chamazulene content turns the essential oil blue). Roman chamomile excels at gentle nervous system support. Both ease digestive upset, calm anxiety, promote sleep, and soothe irritated skin.

Parts Used

Flower heads only – that’s where the medicine lives. Fresh flowers work but have less concentration than dried. The distinctive apple scent intensifies with proper drying. German chamomile flowers taste sweeter in tea; Roman chamomile has a notably bitter edge.

Common Preparations

• Tea/Infusion: 1 heaping teaspoon dried flowers per cup, steep 5–10 minutes (See our guide to hot infusions.)
• Tincture: Fill jar half full with dried flowers, cover with vodka, steep 4–6 weeks (See our guide to tinctures.)
• Infused oil: Cover dried flowers with olive oil, infuse 2–4 weeks warm (See our guide to infused oils.)
• Salve: Combine infused oil with melted beeswax (8:1 ratio) (See our guide to salves and balms.)
• Compress: Strong tea applied with cloth for topical relief (See our guide to compresses.)

Keep preparations simple. The herb does most of the work.

Companion & Garden Notes

German chamomile self-sows enthusiastically – a blessing or curse depending on your perspective. Both types attract beneficial insects. Roman chamomile has an old reputation as the “plant doctor” – supposedly improving the health of nearby plants, though that might be more folklore than fact. Works well planted near brassicas and onions.

Safety Notes

Avoid if allergic to ragweed or other Asteraceae family plants – reactions range from mild itching to serious allergic response. Use sparingly during pregnancy (traditional use exists but medical sources advise caution due to potential uterine stimulation). May increase effects of blood thinners and sedatives. Stop use 1–2 weeks before surgery. Safe for children in appropriate doses; gentle enough for babies when used properly.

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