Growing Chamomile

Chamomile is one of the most beloved and well-studied medicinal herbs in the world — and one of the easiest to grow. German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is the annual variety most used medicinally, with delicate daisy-like flowers that carry powerful anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and calming compounds. I grow it throughout the garden as a companion plant and harvest the tiny flowers all summer long for tea, tinctures, and skin rinses.

Method

1. Surface sow chamomile seeds in early spring — they need light to germinate. Simply scatter seeds over prepared soil and gently press them down. Do not cover with soil.
2. Chamomile prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. It does best in slightly lean, well-drained soil. Overly rich soil produces more leaf than flower.
3. Seeds germinate in 7–14 days in soil temperatures of 50–65°F. Thin plants to 6–8 inches apart once established.
4. Begin harvesting flowers when the white petals just begin to reflex (bend back away from the yellow center). This is peak potency. A day or two later and the volatile oils begin to dissipate.
5. Harvest daily or every other day during peak season. The more you pick, the more it blooms.
6. Dry flowers immediately after harvest on a fine-mesh screen. They are delicate and will mold if left in a pile. Fully dry flowers should feel papery and crisp.
7. Allow a few plants to go to seed fully at end of season. German chamomile self-sows prolifically — scatter some seed now and it will return reliably for years.

Tips & Notes

• Chamomile is an excellent companion plant. Growing it near struggling plants is said to improve their health and vigor — old herbalists called it the "plant physician."
• A strong chamomile tea (1 tablespoon dried flowers per cup, steeped 10 minutes) is a beautiful skin rinse for irritated or sensitive skin.
• Chamomile-infused honey is a simple and effective preparation for soothing sore throats and promoting restful sleep.
• Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a perennial alternative — lower to the ground, spreads as a groundcover, and has a slightly different medicinal profile.

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