Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is one of the most universally beloved herbs in the world - small, daisy-like flowers with white reflexed petals and a domed golden center, producing an apple-honey fragrance so distinctive and comforting that it has become synonymous with calm and ease across cultures. It is an annual that self-seeds so prolifically it behaves like a perennial, appearing year after year in the same spots with minimal encouragement. Few plants deliver so much from so little space and effort.

Growing Information
Chamomile thrives in full sun and well-drained, moderately lean soil. It is a cool-season annual that performs best in spring and fall - summer heat causes it to bolt quickly, though it self-seeds into fall for a second flush. Plants reach 18-24 inches tall. Harvest flowers when the petals begin to reflex downward from the central dome - this is peak fragrance and potency. Allow some plants to go to seed each year to maintain a self-sustaining garden population. Exceptionally easy and rewarding to grow.

Traditional Use
Chamomile is among the oldest and most continuously used medicinal plants in recorded history, documented in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman records and remaining central to European folk medicine through the present day. The flower heads are the part used by herbalists and are harvested at peak bloom when the aromatic compounds are most concentrated. In the European folk tradition, chamomile tea has been the first recourse for digestive discomfort, anxiety, and sleeplessness for generations. It holds a special place in the German herbal tradition - the Germans call it "alles zutraut," meaning "capable of anything."

Care on Arrival
Water gently upon arrival and settle in a bright location before transplanting. Chamomile is delicate as a transplant - handle the root ball carefully and do not disturb it. Plant after your last frost date in well-drained soil. Water during establishment, then reduce frequency. Once established it self-seeds generously - allow seed heads to mature and drop naturally for a continuous garden presence. Harvest flowers regularly to encourage continued production through the season.

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Chamomile is the heart of a gentle nervine and digestive herb collection. Pair with Lemon Balm, Catnip, and Anise Hyssop for a complete traditional tea garden. Feverfew is a medicinal relative in the daisy family with its own distinct folk tradition. For a complete calming herb collection, add Valerian, Skullcap, and Hops.

At Zenobia's Garden, every plant is grown on our 8-acre farm in Perry County, Missouri - tended by hand with attention to soil health, plant vitality, and botanical integrity. We grow medicinal herbs because we believe in them, and we want the plants that leave our farm to thrive in yours. Questions about your order or your plants? Reach us at susan@zenobiasgarden.com - we're growers first, and we're happy to help.