Growing Chamomile

Chamomile: An Herb For Soothing Your Senses

Chamomile is one famous herb and flower plant. It is traditionally known as a tasty and relaxing tea. In fact, no traditional tea set is complete without chamomile. Chamomile has also been used for medicinal purposes. Its active ingredient, coumarin provides anti-inflammatory and blood thinning properties.

Chamomile is extensively used as cure for a plethora of illnesses like insomnia, indigestion, toothaches, anemia, fever, allergies and burns. The oil from it is the main ingredient for medicinal products.

The most common variety, German Chamomile has been widely used in skin care products such as creams, perfumes and lotions. A relaxing bath is not complete without a chamomile scent. Dried or fresh chamomile flowers throw in a soothing ambience.

With its variety of uses, the kitchen is no stranger to chamomile. Aside from making tea from the herbs or flowers, you can use it as fragrance for potpourri.

Chamomile is native to Europe and is found all over Western Europe. The German and English types are the ones we typically see in gardens. There are also French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Russian varieties.

Chamomile is a bushy plant that you can find growing in the wild. Since it is both a perennial and annual, if you are growing chamomile yourself you can make a good plan for your harvest season. Read on for our full guide on how to grow chamomile in your own garden.

Growing Chamomile

Growing Chamomile is simple but planting the seeds needs delicate hands. Take note that Chamomile seeds are very tiny. But once you have sown the seeds successfully, it will be a smooth sailing process. Initially, you can place the seeds in containers. Small pots will do nicely for chamomile.

Chamomile is best to sow during spring or fall. Like most herbs, Chamomile needs sunlight to germinate. Getting not enough light impedes the development so if sunlight is scarce, use a fluorescent or growing light to produce satisfactory results. Chamomile will thrive well in moist, average and well-drained soil.

Chamomile requires enough ventilation so place it in a spacious and well-lit location. If you are growing several plants, space them 6 inches apart. You may also transplant Chamomile plants when they are big enough to handle. Typically, a Chamomile plant can grow 20 to 30 inches tall once it matures. Feed the plant small amounts of fertilizer for optimum growth.

Chamomile Germination can take from a week or two. You can harvest your Chamomile in about six weeks. Regular watering will do wonders for it, but never overwater the plant.

Care

It can self-seed all year round, so check for stray seeds or plants in your garden. Harvest the flowers after blooming. Trim the flowers if you do not want stray seeds to germinate for the next season.

Chamomiles do wonders for your garden. Pair them with cabbages, tomatoes, onions and wheat. They repel flying insects like bees, flies, butterflies and mosquitoes. Birds can also be attracted to Chamomile plants. Moreover, intensify your Peppermint oil by pairing it with Chamomile.

Chamomiles are found in almost every garden. Its fragrance and beauty is unmistakable. It is very beneficial for humans. Since it is low-maintenance, growing Chamomiles in your herb or flower garden is not a problem!