Growing Chamomile

I’d grow Chamomile for the scent alone. Its so very pretty but I’ll take it just for the scent, it’s truly very calming. When we moved here I had this plan to grow a chamomile patch all around our fruit trees, the non flowering variety. It hasn’t happened yet but it might some day! Chamomile is a herb, it can be dried and used for a relaxing tea and its also very beautiful in a vase.

How to grow
When to sow: Feb ,March  indoors, April – June, Sept outdoors

Flowers : May to October

How to grow: Sow sparingly on a seed tray, the seeds are tiny so no need to cover with soil as they need sunlight to germinate. Water and when seedlings are large enough to handle thin them so the seedlings are not crowded. Once acclimatise and before planting out. Can be also be easily sown directly where they are to flower. Sept sowing is for an earlier flowering the following year.  Plant in a sunny area as chamomile needs sunshine to grow.

Deadheading and cutting regularly when blooming  to ensure continuous flowers. The flowers have culinary uses. I dry the flower heads to make tea but I tend to keep them in jars to use in simmer pots and I love the scent of them in a bowl!

Cutting back the overwintered chamomile last May, this year’s didn’t make it through so I’ll resow but there should be plenty of self-seeders too!

My son carrying an armful of chamomile , you can just imagine the scent on a summer’s evening. One to plant near a BBQ or seating area for sure.

Happy growing and thanks for reading,

Maria