How to Grow Chamomile: A Complete Guide

Learning how to grow chamomile offers a unique herb that also acts as a decorative plant and a remedy. With its smiling, daisy-like blooms, it's a beautiful plant that can also serve as a source of petals for a calming tea. The Greeks and Egyptians had a higher reputation than we do today, where they valued chamomile's true essence. Even small areas make room to maximize the potential of this plant.

Chamomile is simple to cultivate in containers on your patio or in a raised bed garden. Easy for rookie gardeners, and they are forgiving in respect of care requirements. Chamomile's mildness helps to create organic gardening easily without toxic chemicals. The flowers draw in butterflies and provide lots of action in your pollinator gardens effortlessly.

Fresh chamomile tea tastes superior to store-bought versions. You control the entire experience from soil to cup. I also plant extra to share with neighbors who enjoy sharing in my harvest. This herb connects us to generations of gardening history while perfectly fitting our contemporary lives.

Chamomile has unexpected options besides calming tea. For a calming herbal bath, steep 1 cup of flowers in boiling water, and then add to the tub water. Remember to test a small skin patch first, as chamomile can sometimes irritate people with sensitive skin. This gentle soak naturally relieves muscle tension.

Chamomile is not only added to infusions as a dandruff remedy, it is also effective in reinforcing hair follicles and calming the scalp. Brew two tablespoons of flowers per cup of water, let it cool, and apply to the roots and scalp after shampooing. Leave it on the hair for 10 minutes, then rinse. Regular use helps to enhance the brightness of blond hair. I find this method, of the two, less abrasive than the chemical treatment.

In the kitchen, use fresh petals to top salads as edible flowers or freeze petals in ice cubes for use in decorative drinks. For children's remedies, freeze weak tea into popsicles to help soothe teething gums. Always use mild concentrations under pediatric supervision for small mouths.

If you have an abundance of flower petals from your late summer harvest, you can freeze them in olive oil trays. These infused cubes can later be thrown into a roasting pan of vegetables. Chamomile can also be used to make your own salves, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties! Combine ½ cup of petals with 2 oz. of melted beeswax (double the recipe for a larger batch of salve) to create skin-calming balms.

Chamomile is an effective herbal remedy for anxiety because apigenin attaches to GABA receptors in the brain. A natural compound, all phytochemicals derived from plants lower cortisol and soothe the nervous system. Better sleep quality is thought to be achieved through the action of increasing glycine and relaxation of muscles. Stabilization of mood is due to serotonin modulation. Additionally, please note that chamomile is not generally recommended for use during pregnancy without a physician's approval.

For digestive relief, chamazulene compounds deliver anti-inflammatory action, calming intestinal linings; effectively reducing IBS symptoms. Stop Here. Natural terpenoids act as muscle relaxants, easing cramps during menses. The herb contains protective coatings that help protect against acid reflux after meals.

As an immune booster, alpha-bisabolol can help fight staph infections while promoting wound healing. Chamomile helps to reduce histamine discharge, alleviating allergy symptoms such as hay fever. I like to use cooled tea compresses on my skin irritations for fast relief and to avoid trips to the pharmacy.

The eight flavonoid compounds of chamomile act as antioxidants, neutralizing the action of free radicals. It aids in blood sugar management by activating PPARγ and preventing LDL oxidation. The herb also helps strengthen bones by stimulating osteoblasts and benefits the liver through detoxification processes.

Opt for German chamomile if you want tea flavor with sweet apple notes for easy brewing. This annual herb is upright and grows up to two feet tall, making it a great candidate for container gardens. It thrives in the heat, producing plentiful blooms throughout the season. As flowers appear, keep harvesting them for fresh or dried use.

Choose *Roman Chamomile* as a low sprawling *perennial groundcover* in lawns or paths. Growing to just 1 foot tall and hardy in freezing temperatures in *hardiness zones* 4-9, its creeping, spreading roots form fragrant mats, but the flowers have too bitter a taste to be suitable for tea. Plant it where foot traffic can release wonderful scents.

The climate is the determining factor in which is best. German types perform best in hot, sunny areas, and Roman types are suitable for snowy winters. I find German types for daily tea and Roman between patio stones do well. Match the chamomile type to your gardening goals, taking into account flavor, fragrance, and purpose.

Start your seeds indoors in trays with sterile mix, 6-8 weeks prior to last frost. If desired, lightly press the seeds into the surface; do not cover. Soil temperature should be around 70°F for the best germination. Once the frost risk or danger has passed, southern gardeners can direct-sow seeds in the garden when spring arrives. Northern gardeners can start early.

Select full sun locations for in-ground planting. Amend soil for neutral soil pH 6.0-7.5. For container plants, use 6-inch pots with drainage holes and a lightweight potting mix. Space the plants 8-12 inches apart to ensure good air circulation and prevent diseases.

Regularly water seedlings, but mature plants are typically drought-tolerant and only need watering when the topsoil is dry. Avoid using heavy fertilizers, as they can lead to leggy growth. I use straw as mulch around the plants, which holds moisture and also naturally slows down weeds.

Harvest takes place once the flowers are open, and this continues until frost. Tall varieties can be staked in areas with strong winds. For perennial Roman types, apply a thick layer of mulch before winter in colder hardiness zones. Container plants need to be moved inside before freezing temperatures occur.

Harvest chamomile at peak freshness at the point in time when petals are arching backward in dry morning hours, when dew is no longer present. This petal position indicates the best concentration of essential oils. Use scissors, shears, or a sharp instrument to cut stems below the flower heads. Handle the blooms very lightly and gently to prevent bruising. We do not recommend harvesting more than 1/3 of the plant at any one time.

Fresh flowers provide a more robust flavor, so you would use approximately double the amount of dried flowers for tea. Fresh chamomile can be refrigerated between paper towels for up to five days. For storage, preserve the flowers by drying them. Dried flowers concentrate flavor and are suitable for medium-term use, lasting up to six months with proper storage.

In humid environments, use the drying screen method by laying out single layers of flowers on mesh racks in a well-ventilated, shaded area. In dry regions, hang small bundles upside down for 7 to 14 days. Dehydrators would work well by regulating heat at 95°F and rotating trays every couple of hours until the blooms crumble easily.

Immediately, transfer dried flowers to an air-tight container. Amber glass jars best block light, preserving potency.Store in a cool, dark place below 70°F, away from spices and hot areas. Visit once a month to double-check for condensation- if found, your flowers need to be re-dried.

Chamomile offers numerous benefits, both as a lovely garden ornamental and a versatile medicinal herb. Its delightful flowers bring joy to your garden and can be made into home remedies and teas. Beginners will find chamomile to be an ideal option for simple gardening with very little maintenance. This herb is a perfect fit for all garden sizes.

Chamomile is one of our sustainable herbs - it provides a sustainable gardening resource through its natural drought tolerance and pollinator attraction. Bees and butterflies compete for the plant-based nectar. Regular harvesting means you'll have continuous harvest from summertime into frost (and must try not to grab the final flowering blooms in a frenzy). Its low water needs can lead to big water savings over the garden season.

I typically recommend chamomile for new gardeners desiring results in short order. Its durability can handle mild neglect, and it offers flowers in abundance. Start small with a few plants, and learn how this ancient remedy lends itself to the bioregional wellness phenomena. Your garden will be beautiful and flourish with the blessings of this varied plant.