Chamomile may be a unique herb, as beautiful because it is beneficial . Unbeknownst to most gardeners, there are literally two sorts of common chamomile, German and Roman. Both are native to Europe and have medicinal qualities, often being incorporated into herbal remedies and skincare interchangeably. Both boast fragrant, daisy-like flowers with white petals surrounding a yellow center.

Both varietals of chamomile grow quickly (reaching full bloom within about 10 weeks), and are best planted within the spring, either via seed or young plants. Roman chamomile is usually used as a ground cover or creeping plant to melt the sides of a fence or walkway, while its German counterpart is more commonly used for creating tea.

Chamomile Care

German chamomile is an annual plant, however, it self-seeds so readily, you’ll think it’s a perennial a bit like Roman chamomile. Both are easy to worry about during a garden environment and need only a few extras so as to thrive. Between the 2, sweet false chamomile produces more abundant flowers, while Roman chamomile takes the medal for more fragrant blooms.

Both varietals are often used fresh off the plant or dried during a cool dark environment and saved in an air-tight container (or frozen) until you’re able to use them. Chamomile typically isn’t great as a bedding plant—it tends to be too floppy and insignificant when paired with more formal and imposing plants. However, it are often used for underplanting in an herb or kitchen garden and may be a good candidate for pots where it’s easily accessible.

Harvest the chamomile flowers once they are fully open. they will be used fresh or dried and stored for later use. If you discover the leaves make your tea a touch too bitter, leave them out and just harvest the flowers. Flower heads also can be wont to make an extract which may help alleviate digestive issues.

Light

Both Roman and sweet false chamomile grow well in either full sun or partial shade. The plants will flower best fully sun, but in hot climates, a touch of partial shade may be a more sensible choice (especially during the recent afternoon hours) to avoid burning the fragile blooms. More sun typically results in faster growth, but as this plant grows rapidly naturally, this might not be a problem.

Soil

Both versions of chamomile will flower best if grown in rich, organic soil. they will survive in poorer mixtures, but it’ll often cause their stems to be much floppier. Additionally, chamomile isn’t particular about its soil pH, preferring a neutral range of between 5.6 and 7.5.

Water

Chamomile doesn’t require an excellent deal of water. Regular water will keep the plants in bloom longer, but chamomile plants are very drought tolerant once established. It’s best to permit your plants to dry out somewhat between moderate waterings. However, in extremely hot climates, chamomile will appreciate a touch more moisture.

Temperature and Humidity

Chamomile is capable of thriving in any summer weather under 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That being said, it prefers a moderate temperature range between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Because it’s drought-tolerant, it doesn’t require special humidity considerations.

Fertilizer

Chamomile doesn’t need fertilizer; actually, it’s actually considered to be an invasive weed in some locations because it grows so quickly with no particular need for feeding.

How to Grow Chamomile From Seed

Chamomile is straightforward to start out from seed. Plant to start out seeds indoors, about six weeks before the last expected frost. Chamomile seeds need light to germinate, so scatter the seed and press them firmly onto the soil, but don’t cover the seeds with soil. Water them regularly, and that they should germinate in seven to 14 days. you’ll also direct-seed chamomile outdoors, though you’ll recover germination if you are doing this within the fall and let the seed stratify over winter for a spring crop.

Common Pests

Most insects stay beyond chamomile. In fact, it’s used as a cucumber pest deterrent. However, aphids and thrips can sometimes be a drag. Both are often washed off the plant or treated with insecticidal soap.

GET to understand TO CHAMOMILE

• Botanical name and family: There are two chamomiles: Roman chamomile (botanical name Chamaemelum Nobile) and sweet false chamomile (botanical name Matricaria recutita). Both are members of the Asteraceae daisy family.
• Type of plant: Roman chamomile may be a perennial; sweet false chamomile is an annual.
• Growing season: Summer
• Growing zones: Chamomile grows best in zones 5 to 9.
• Hardiness: Chamomile is cold hardy to -20°F; it is often short-lived in hot summer regions.
• Plant form and size: Roman chamomile may be a creeping 6-inch plant with lacy, gray-green foliage; the stems root as they creep. sweet false chamomile grows 15 to 30 inches tall.
• Flowers: Both Roman and German chamomiles have daisy-like flowers–yellow centers surrounded by whitish petals.
• Bloom time: Chamomile blooms early summer to first fall frost.
• Leaves: Roman chamomile has bright green threadlike segmented leaves that form a soft-textured mat about 3 inches high. sweet false chamomile is an erect plant with feather-like leaves. The flowers of both bend backward from the yellow centers. Leaves of both are covered with downy fuzz.

HOW TO PLANT CHAMOMILE

• Best location: Both chamomiles—Roman and German—prefer to grow full sun but will tolerate partial shade.
• Soil preparation: Roman chamomile prefers light, compost-rich, evenly moist soil. sweet false chamomile prefers well-drained sandy soils; if your soil is moist, plant sweet false chamomile during a raised bed. Both prefer a soil pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Add 2 or more inches of aged compost to the planting bed and switch it under before planting.
• Seed starting indoors: Chamomile is often started indoors 3 or 4 weeks before transplanting to the garden. Sow seed in organic potting mix in flats or pots under fluorescent light. Keep the small seeds moist or germination is going to be difficult. sweet false chamomile seeds germinate in about 14 days at 55° to 65° Roman chamomile germinates best in warm soil, about 70°F.
• Transplanting to the garden: Seedlings started indoors are often transplanted out after 3 to five weeks when all danger of frost is past.
• Outdoor planting time: Sow both sorts of chamomile within the garden in any case danger of frost has passed when the soil temperature has reached 55°F to 60°
• Planting depth: Sow seed ¼ to ½ inch deep; sow seed 2 inches apart.
• Spacing: Thin chamomile plants once they are 1 to 2 inches tall. Allow 6 to eight inches between sweet false chamomile plants and 18 inches between Roman chamomile plants.
• How much to plant: Grow 40 chamomile plants for tea and preserving.
• Companion planting: Plant chamomile with lavender or hyssop. Chamomile is claimed to assist the expansion of cucumbers, onions, and most herbs. Some say chamomile improves the flavor and growth of cabbages, onions, and aromatic herbs. Chamomile flowers attract beneficial insects including hoverflies and predatory wasps.

HOW TO GROW CHAMOMILE

• Watering: Chamomile grows best therein is soil evenly moist but not wet.
• Feeding: Side dress chamomile with aged compost or feed plants with a dilute solution of fish emulsion.
• Care: Plants are often cropped in early spring to renew growth. Low-growing Roman chamomile is often cut with a lawnmower in early spring to encourage fuller growth. Keep the world around chamomile weed-free; it’s a poor competitor against weeds.
• Container growing: Grow chamomile during a container a minimum of 8 inches wide and deep.

TROUBLESHOOTING CHAMOMILE

• Pests and diseases: Both chamomiles are pest-free and disease-free. Roman chamomile is claimed to assist control damping-off disease when mixed with water and used as a sprig.

HOW TO HARVEST CHAMOMILE

• When to harvest: Chamomile flowers are ripe when the petals curl back toward the middle in late summer or early fall.
• How to harvest: Cut whole stems and flowers of sweet false chamomile. Pinch off the flowers of Roman chamomile.

CHAMOMILE within the KITCHEN

• Flowers: Use the flowers freshly picked or dried. Flowers are often added to fruit salads or to embellish cakes.
• Flowers for tea: Both chamomiles make excellent teas. The dried blossoms of sweet false chamomile are sweeter flavored. to form tea: Fill teakettle water and start heating. Place chamomile fresh flowers (is best) or dry flowers and a sprig of mint during a strainer or cheesecloth in your cup (or place flowers during a tea ball); pour boiling water over the chamomile flowers and mint then steep for five minutes.
• Note: don’t use chamomile during pregnancy.

PRESERVING AND STORING CHAMOMILE

• Drying: Dry flowers on a screen or during a loose sack during a cool place with good air circulation. await insects which will hide within the flowers; if you see insects pour predicament on the flowers and dry them again.
• Storing: Store flowers in an airtight container.

PROPAGATING CHAMOMILE

• German chamomile is grown from seed, however seed starting success is a smaller amount than 50 percent.
• Roman chamomile is propagated by division or cuttings. Divide the plant’s rhizomatous roots to start out new plants or root 3- to 5- inch cuttings indoors in pots in early spring or in midsummer.