How to maximize chamomile blooming?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.To get chamomile to bloom to its fullest potential, use management strategies for their sunlight placement, how you prune them, and how you harvest. Full sun placement is an absolute must since chamomile requires six or more hours of direct daily light to ensure maximum flowers. Planting placement should be carefully planned to avoid being shaded by tall plants. Continuous management results in multiple flowering cycles throughout the growing season.
Early Season Preparation
- Pinch back seedlings at 6 inches height
- Apply phosphorus-rich bloom booster at planting
- Ensure soil pH between 6.0-7.0
Peak Season Management
- Harvest flowers in morning when petals arch back
- Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots
- Apply compost tea every three weeks
Leggy Growth Correction
- Prune stems to 4 inches above growth nodes
- Provide support for overgrown plants
- Increase sunlight exposure if possible
Late Season Extension
- Stop harvesting 6 weeks before frost
- Apply potassium sulfate to strengthen stems
- Protect plants with row covers during cold snaps
Pruning methods are the most important factor in blooming density. I chuck the long stems 4 inches above the leaf nodes with a sterilized pair of shears. This encourages the formation of a lower bud plant, thus creating bushier plants with more flowering sites. I prune every three weeks while in active growth. Always remove any yellowing leaves to improve air circulation.
Choosing your fertilizers will impact your blooms. Avoid formulations that are high in nitrogen. These fertilizers encourage too much leaf growth. Use phosphorus-rich bloom boosters at half-strength and apply them monthly. Bone meal is best applied in early summer to support flower growth. My plant responds best to applying compost tea every three weeks in peak season.
To maximize floral cropping, the harvest frequency should be November and never longer than two weeks without harvest, ideally every week during each bloom era, by cutting the stem just below the flower heads. By deadheading, you prevent seed production, and energy is redirected to flower buds and renewal. You can leave some flowers at the end of the season to allow self-seeding areas to form for the following year.
Environmental stress management lengthens the flowering period. Offer afternoon shade during a heat wave. Water early in the morning, avoiding wetting the foliage. Mulch with straw to help maintain soil moisture levels. By following these practices, chamomile can be predicted to flower from early summer to first frost.
Read the full article: How to Grow Chamomile: A Complete Guide
