Chamomile is approachable from seed and works well in sunny herb beds. Many types are grown for their small daisy-like flowers.
Quick fit: Sunny, free-draining conditions; surface-sown seed benefits from light.
Common harvest focus: flowers.
Common harvest focus: flowers.
How to grow chamomile
- Choose a sunny position with free-draining soil.
- Many chamomile seeds are surface-sown because light assists germination; follow the packet instructions for your species.
- Keep young plants evenly moist while establishing, then avoid persistently soggy soil.
- Harvest fresh, fully opened flowers selectively so the plant can continue blooming.
Garden placement
Plan around mature size rather than seedling size. Keep access for watering, inspection and harvest, and avoid crowding plants simply to fit more varieties into one bed.
Harvest and preservation
Use clean tools where appropriate and process harvested material promptly. See our general guides to harvesting herbs and drying herbs.
Gardening, not medical advice: This page explains cultivation. Traditional use of a plant does not establish that it is safe or effective for a health condition.
Source note
RHS notes that common and German chamomile can be grown from seed and generally prefer sun and free-draining soil.