You may know of chamomile as a calming tea or an ingredient in beauty products, but it’s also a sturdy perennial that makes a charming addition to your garden. With delicate foliage and sunny-faced little daisy-like flowers, chamomile can be grown in flower beds, herb gardens, and even within your lawn.
But you may not realize, when talking about growing chamomile plants, that there are two common types. German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is an annual, and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), which is a perennial. (Find more full-sun perennials here.)
Both types of chamomile flowers can be dried and used for herbal tea, though the annual type, German chamomile, is considered better because it’s less bitter.
In the garden, however, Roman chamomile makes for a delightful ground cover. It spreads by creeping rooting stems. As a member of the Asteraceae (daisy) family, its pretty summertime flowers and meandering habit make it ideal for rock gardens, borders, and along walkways. It’s attractive to bees and other pollinators, and the foliage has a light, apple or citrus-y scent when you brush against it. (Here's our guide to growing a pollinator garden.)
While Roman chamomile also can be used as a lawn alternative, it doesn’t withstand foot traffic well, even after it’s well-established. It also tends to get a little messy-looking if you prefer a neat and tidy lawn, and you’ll need to weed it frequently. It also spreads unevenly so it may not form as dense a patch as other lawn alternatives, such as creeping thyme or Irish moss.
Chamomile also doesn’t survive wet or cold winters particularly well and can appear patchy in the spring, leading to the incursion of many different types of weeds. For these reasons, it’s usually best to enjoy Roman chamomile as an accent or border plant because it is difficult to maintain as a lawn.
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Chamomile Flower Basic Info:
Common Name: Roman chamomile, English chamomile
Botanical Name: Chamaemelum nobile
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Type of Plant: Perennial, USDA zones 4 to 9
Native Origin: Europe, India, and Asia
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature Size: 6 to 12 inches tall and wide
Toxic to pets: Yes
How to Plant and Care for Chamomile
Roman chamomile doesn’t require much maintenance, so it’s a good addition to low-traffic areas of your garden, in pots, or planting beds.
Chamomile prefers full sun, which is considered 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day, and is perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9. (Find your zone here. Note that the zones have been recently updated.) It will tolerate dappled shade, though it may not bloom as well. But in the hotter climates, it will do better in areas with some afternoon shade. Generally, it tends to do best in cooler climates.
Chamomile adapts to most types of soils, but it prefers moist, well-drained soil. It doesn’t like to stay soggy.
You will find it available in seed or small containers. Plant seeds in early spring, sprinkling over bare earth, gently pressing into the soil (but not burying them), then watering well. The seeds usually sprout in a week. It is a shallow-rooted plant, so plan to keep it lightly moist.
If using transplants, which are often in small 2 or 3-inch pots, plant several close together (not more than about 6 inches apart) so they can fill in faster. Like most herbs, you also don’t need to fertilize this plant.
Because of its scent and somewhat fuzzy or hairy texture, chamomile generally is deer and rabbit resistant.
When to Harvest Chamomile Flowers
Snip off the tiny white flowers when they are near full bloom. They can be steeped as a tea or used as a garnish when fresh or dried. Dehydrate or freeze them for longer storage.
Is Chamomile Toxic to Pets?
According to the ASPCA, chamomile is toxic to pets if ingested. It may cause vomiting, diarrhea, allergic reactions or bleeding. If you think you pet has nibbled on any, even if you’re not entirely sure, contact your vet ASAP. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Common Problems with Chamomile
Chamomile is typically trouble-free, though you may see an occasional aphid infestation. If so, blast them off the with a garden hose. Recheck again in a few days, and hose off again.
Types of Chamomile
Treneague
A low-growing, non-flowering type cultivar, or cultivated variety, that is best used as a lawn replacement or filler. It’s propagated by division, not seed.
Floro Pleno
A double-flowering pom-pom variety that needs deadheaded to prevent it from becoming sparse.
Delicious Recipes You Can Make with Chamomile
Chamomile-Mascarpone Tart with Fresh Strawberries
Orange-Chamomile Cake
Spring Gin Flip
