kallerna / CC BY-SA 3.0
Overview
Perhaps the most beloved herbal tea plant in the world, chamomile has been used for its calming and healing properties since ancient Egypt, where it was dedicated to the sun god Ra. German chamomile is an annual grown for tea, while Roman chamomile is a creeping perennial used as a fragrant ground cover. Both produce apple-scented daisy-like flowers with proven anti-anxiety and digestive benefits.
Growing Conditions
LightFull Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones4 — 8
Height0.4m
Spread0.3m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5.6 — 7.5
Soil TypeAverage, well-drained soil; tolerates poor soils
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | May — Jun | Direct sow after last frost; press tiny seeds onto surface, do not cover |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Jun — Aug | Harvest flowers when petals reflex downward; dry promptly |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Apr — May | Direct sow in spring; self-sows freely once established |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | May — Aug | Pick flowers when fully open; morning harvest has most oils |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Mar — Apr | Sow on soil surface; needs light to germinate |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Sep — Oct | Fall sowing for early spring bloom |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Apr — Jul | Harvest every 3-5 days during peak bloom |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Sep — Oct | Fall sow for winter/spring bloom |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Nov — Apr (wraps) | Harvest during cool season bloom |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Oct — Nov | Fall sow; grows through cool season |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Dec — Mar (wraps) | Harvest in winter |
Uses
Culinary
- Dried flowers steeped as the classic calming tea
- Infused into honey, cream, and syrups
Medicinal
- Clinically proven anxiolytic and sleep aid
- Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic for digestive relief
- Topical use for skin irritation and wound healing
Other Uses
- Companion plant that improves the health of nearby plants
- Roman chamomile used as a fragrant lawn substitute
- Attracts beneficial hoverflies and parasitic wasps
