How to Grow Roman Chamomile

Make tea from the flowers by steeping for 10 minutes in a covered pot.

Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) may be a small plant but it packs a number of big, useful aspects as an herb. Long used in teas, sachets and soaps, chamomile has antibacterial and antifungal capabilities, is an antispasmodic and is known to effectively battle candidiasis. The tea is commonly taken to help reduce stress. This perennial plant -- which resembles miniature daisies -- is often a standard in medicinal herb gardens as well as in home kitchen and herb gardens. Growing the plant is relatively simple, from seed, cuttings or plant divisions.

Things You'll Need

• Soil
• Compost
• Organic fertilizer
• Garden tools
• Hose

Instructions

1. Choose your seed. Make sure it's the perennial appropriately named Roman chamomile. German chamomile is an annual.

2. Work your soil in the planting area. This should be an area that gets full sunlight and has good drainage. Prepare the soil by digging it up, turning it and loosening clumps of sod. Remove weeds and large stones. Add amendments such as pine straw or compost to enrich the soil.

3. Moisten the soil thoroughly. Then broadcast the seed. Sprinkle the planting area lightly again with water. The best time for planting is after the last frost of spring.

4. Keep the ground moist but not puddled for a week or two. As plants emerge, thin them to about every 6 or 8 inches. They'll grow into full plants within a month or two.

5. Add mulch around the plants to retain moisture. Use decomposed compost to fertilize periodically, or follow the directions on a box of organic fertilizer. Harvest as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• If a neighbor gives you cuttings or divisions, you can also use these. Just keep them moist until you are ready to plant.

• If you're planting chamomile as a ground cover over a large area, you might want to begin with a mix of starter plants and seed. Broadcast the seed, rake it in and space plants about 2 or 3 feet apart. The seed will sprout and grow to fill in the gaps.

• You can also grow chamomile in pots. Find a space in full sun outdoors, such as on your patio or deck.

References

• A Modern Herbal; Chamomile; Mrs. M. Grieve
• Clemson Cooperative Extension; Herbs; Karen Russ & Al Pertuit; June 1999
• University of Maryland Medical Center; Roman Chamomile Overview; Steven D. Ehrlich; Nov. 2008
• Center for the Micro Ecofarming Movement: Grow an Herb Garden of Tea Herbs
• The Physiomedical Dispensatory; Anthemis Nobilis. Camomile, Garden Camomile; William Cook; 1869
• University of Idaho Extension: Herbs for Idaho Gardens
• University of Missouri Extension; Growing Herbs at Home; David H. Trinklein; Nov. 2003
• Mountain Valley Growers: Roman Chamomile