Grow the popular herb, known as Roman Chamomile, from freshly harvested Chamaemelum nobile seeds. Roman Chamomile will produce carpets of low growing plant life, displaying hundreds of thin stems and leaves. The plants form small, white flowers that are accented by bright yellow centers. Each herb will grow to a mature height of roughly 3 to 6 inches tall, and can spread about 9 to 12 inches wide. The flower heads are most popularly used in herbal teas, but you will also come to find that Roman Chamomile makes an excellent groundcover as well.
The sweetly scented plants are a delight in many insectaries and butterfly gardens. They are known to attract bumblebees, honeybees, hummingbirds and an array of butterflies as well. Their small flowers will bloom through the summer months, until late Fall. they can be grown in pots & containers, raised beds, borders, along pavers and stepping stones, or anywhere you’d like to add some dense coverage.
Categorized as a perennial flowering herb, Roman Chamomile will establish a deep root system in its initial year of growth. The plants later wilt with the first frost, remaining dormant until the following Spring season arrives. If temperatures are severe, some plants may wither and die, however new plants can grow from seeds that drop to the bare ground beneath at the end of the Autumn season.
Quick Facts
- Type: Herb
- Season: Perennial
- Heirloom: Yes
- Color: White Blooms
- Height: 3″ to 6″ Tall
- Width: 9″ to 12″ Spread
- Harvest: 60 to 65 Days
- Uses: Medicinal
- Environment: Full sun
Sowing The Seed
Roman Chamomile can be established indoors, or directly outdoors, however we recommend starting Chamomile indoors due to the size of its seeds. Sow in peat pots, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost, scattering the small seeds to the surface of the soil. The seeds require direct light to properly germinate, so we recommend that you do not cover the seeds with any topsoil. Transplant or direct sow outdoors when the weather is warm, and all danger of frost has passed.
Growing Conditions
Chamomile plants thrive in warm temperatures of at least 70F to 75F and prefer an area of full sunlight. The sowing medium should be average to loamy, but also well drained. To increase your drainage, we recommend adding a light compost to any areas that consist of hard, compact soil. Provide the seeds with moisture each day, by spraying them with a spray bottle or mist setting, until germination has successfully occurred.
Germination & Growth
Chamomile seeds can typically take anywhere between 7 to 14 days to properly germinate. The plants will grow to a short height of roughly 3 to 6 inches tall, and can spread to a width of about 9 to 12 inches wide. Each plant can be spaced 8 to 12 inches apart from one another. They can also be placed in pots & containers to isolate them.