🌼 Chamomile: Growing Guide
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at 0–30 °C (32–86 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.6–7.5. Space plants about 20 cm (7.9 in) apart. Expect 40–60 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Matricaria chamomilla |
|---|---|
| Category | Herbs |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 20 cm (7.9 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.6–7.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 0–30 °C (32–86 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 40–60 days |
| Sowing depth | 0.3 cm (0.1 in) |
| Height | 15–50 cm (5.9–20 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | |||||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | |||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Tropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar, Sep · Plant out: Apr, Oct · Harvest: May–Jun.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jun.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jun.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Sow: Jan, Jul · Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Feb, Aug · Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Apr–May, Sep.
Watering
Water about every 4 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Moderate watering, tolerates drought.
Growing tips
Makes a soothing tea. Said to improve the flavor of neighboring plants. Self-seeds easily.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Chamomile: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar, Sep · Plant out: Apr, Oct · Harvest: May–Jun. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jun. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jun.
Chamomile: how often should I water it?
Water about every 4 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Moderate watering, tolerates drought.
Chamomile: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 20 cm (7.9 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.3 cm (0.1 in).
Chamomile: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 40–60 days.
Chamomile: which plants grow well with it?
Tomato, Basil, Cucumber.
Plan your garden
Add Chamomile to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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