If you are an avid tea drinker, you may already be familiar with the benefits of chamomile. Chamomile is a tiny white and yellow flower that is not only lovely to look at, but can offer some medicinal purposes as well. Growing your own chamomile can be as simple as growing other garden flowers, so even if you don’t have the greenest of thumbs you should still be able to give it a go! Take a look below at how to grow your own chamomile and grow a plant that is as practical as it is purposeful.
How to Grow Chamomile
How to plant chamomile seedlings:
It should be addressed that chamomile seeds are very delicate, need light, and can and difficult in most cases to grow on your own. It is better to start with hardy chamomile seedlings, specifically German Chamomile as it is fairly fool proof.
When planting your chamomile seedlings, you want to be sure you use well drained and nutrient rich soil. Plant your seedlings six inches apart is advised. Even if your soil quality is fair, you will find that your chamomile will still do well.
How to plant chamomile seedlings in pots:
A nice thing about chamomile seedlings is they can be grown in pots. This is ideal whenever you are working with limited space or unreliable climate. Should you wish to grow your chamomile indoors, potting the seedlings is also ideal. Use a well draining pot as well as decent soil, and try not to put more than one seedling per 6-8 inch wide planter.
If you choose to bring your pots indoors, it is advised you place them where there is plenty of air circulation or even a ceiling fan. The plant will thrive where air circulates nicely.
How to care for chamomile seedlings:
You will find that chamomile seedlings are easy to care for. They do like full sun but will still perform for you in part sun. You will find that they need about an inch of water per week, just be careful not to over water. It is advised that you allow the soil to dry out between watering for best results.
Weeds tend to not be an issue with chamomile, but you can still take precautions and remove weeds as you see them. You will also be happy to know that pests are not much of a problem, and chamomile in fact attracts good bugs such as bees and butterflies. If you enjoy these creatures in your garden, chamomile is an ideal plant for you.
Your chamomile is an annual, so you will need to replant it from year to year. If you wish, you can try transplanting your plant to a pot and bringing it indoors during the cooler months.
How to harvest chamomile:
Chamomile will be ready to harvest in about 6 weeks. To harvest you want to remove the blooms to dry and use in teas or potpourri. To dry, you can snip the stems leaving the head intact and then bundle the flowers with string. Hang them upside down in a cool and dry place for several days until dry.
Chamomile is a fantastic herb to grow if you want to give your tea a boost, attract bees and butterflies, or even to have blooms for crafting. Give these growing tips a try and see what great results you can achieve!
Terri says
I live in Phoenix and it grows all year, except july and august it will grow i the shade but the extreme heat 110+ and the evenings don’t get below 80 the flowers are not as fragrant. I grow all winter long