Growing Chamomile for Tea: A Beginner’s Guide to Homegrown Herbal Bliss

Few things are as comforting as a warm cup of chamomile tea, with its gentle, apple-like flavor and calming effects. At Bluestem Botanicals, we’re passionate about helping you grow and enjoy this beloved herb at home.

Growing chamomile for tea is simple, rewarding, and perfect for gardeners of all levels. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to grow chamomile for tea, harvest its fragrant blooms, and brew a soothing cup. 

Why Grow Chamomile for Tea?

Chamomile is a time-honored herb known for easing stress, promoting sleep, and aiding digestion, as confirmed by numerous studies. Its delicate white flowers not only produce a delicious tea but also attract pollinators like bees, making it a fantastic companion plant for your garden. Growing your own chamomile ensures you have fresh, pesticide-free blooms for the best possible tea.

Choosing the Best Chamomile for Tea

There are two main types of chamomile, each with unique uses:

• German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): An annual herb that grows up to 2 feet tall, producing abundant daisy-like flowers. It’s the best chamomile for tea due to its high levels of medicinal compounds, offering a sweet, potent flavor.

• Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile): A low-growing perennial often used as a lawn replacement or ground cover. While its flowers can be used in tea, it’s less potent than German chamomile and better suited for ornamental purposes.

Caution: Don’t confuse chamomile with stinknet (Globe chamomile), an invasive weed in areas like Arizona. Stinknet harms ecosystems and should be removed before seeding. Source your seeds from trusted suppliers like our herb collection to ensure you’re growing true chamomile.

For tea-making, German chamomile is the gold standard, and we’ll focus on it here.

How to Grow Chamomile for Tea: Step-by-Step

Chamomile is a hardy herb that thrives in temperatures from freezing to 100°F, tolerates poor soil, and requires minimal care. Here’s how to grow chamomile for tea with ease.

Step 1: Starting Chamomile Seeds

Chamomile seeds are tiny and need light to germinate, so proper planting is key.

• Timing:

• Mild Winter Climates: Start seeds indoors in late summer for fall-to-spring planting.

• Cold Winter Climates: Begin indoors 3–8 weeks before the last frost (early spring) or direct sow after the frost.

• Materials:

• Use a seed-starting mix and small containers or peat pots (chamomile roots dislike disturbance).

• Our herb gardening kit includes high-quality German chamomile seeds, a seed-starting mix, and tools to simplify the process.

• Method:

• Scatter a few seeds on the soil surface (their small size makes planting one at a time challenging).

• Lightly press seeds down and mist with a spray bottle to keep hydrated.

• Cover with a thin layer of vermiculite to retain moisture while allowing light penetration.

• Germination takes 7–10 days; keep the soil moist with a spray bottle until sprouts appear.

• Thinning:

• When seedlings reach 1 inch tall, thin to the strongest sprout, spacing 2 inches apart. Patience is key, as chamomile can be slow to establish.

Step 2: Transplanting or Direct Sowing

Once seedlings are established, move them to your garden or containers.

• Transplanting:

• Use peat pots to minimize root disturbance.

• Plant in full sun or partial shade (partial shade extends the season in hot climates).

• Space plants 1 foot apart, ideally at bed edges, so mature plants have room to spread.

• Direct Sowing:

• After the last frost, scatter seeds on prepared soil, press lightly, and mist to water.

• Thin seedlings as described above.

• Containers:

• Chamomile thrives in pots at least 10–12 inches high. Use a well-draining potting mix.

Step 3: Caring for Chamomile Plants

Chamomile is low-maintenance, making it perfect for beginners.

• Watering:

• Keep the soil moist during establishment.

• Once established, chamomile is somewhat drought-tolerant, needing less frequent watering.

• Soil and Fertilizer:

• Chamomile grows in poor soils and requires no fertilizer, even in containers, making it a fuss-free herb.

• Light:

• Full sun encourages faster growth, but partial shade helps plants last longer in hot summer regions.

• Pests and Diseases:

• Chamomile is rarely bothered by pests and even deters cucumber pests. If aphids or thrips appear, wash them off with insecticidal soap.

• Late-season powdery mildew may occur. Harvest usable parts and dispose of affected plants in the trash (not compost) to prevent the spread.

Step 4: Harvesting Chamomile for Tea

Regular harvesting keeps plants productive and ensures a steady supply for your tea.

• When to Harvest:

• Harvest flowers when fully open and fragrant, before petals droop (6–8 weeks after planting). This timing maximizes essential oils and flavor.

• Leave some seed heads for self-seeding if you want plants to return next year.

• How to Harvest:

• Pick individual flower heads by hand or with scissors, avoiding the stem.

• Drying:

• Spread flower heads in a single layer in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area.

• Dry for several days until crisp, then store in an airtight container.

• Use within a year for the best flavor, or try our dried chamomile for a ready-to-use option.

Brewing the Perfect Chamomile Tea

Transform your homegrown chamomile into a soothing tea with this simple method:

• Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers (or 2 teaspoons fresh) per mug.

• Hot water (just below boiling).

• Method:

• Place chamomile in a mug or teapot.

• Pour hot water over the flowers and steep for 5–8 minutes, adjusting for desired strength.

• Strain and enjoy plain or with a touch of honey.

• Tip: Blend chamomile with herbs from our tea collection, like peppermint or lavender, for a custom brew.

Tips for Growing Chamomile Successfully

• Companion Planting: Plant chamomile near cucumbers, onions, or brassicas to deter pests and attract pollinators.

• Self-Seeding: Allow some flower heads to dry on the plant for natural reseeding, ensuring a new crop next year.

• Experiment with Blends: Try combining chamomile with herbs to create unique flavors.

• Storage: Store dried chamomile in airtight containers away from light to maintain its aroma and potency.

• Convenience: Keep dried chamomile on hand for quick, high-quality tea when your harvest runs low.

Growing chamomile for tea is a simple, rewarding way to enjoy the calming benefits of this versatile herb. From planting seeds to harvesting blooms and brewing a perfect cup, every step connects you to the joy of gardening.

How do you like to enjoy your chamomile tea? Share your favorite recipes or gardening tips in the comments, and happy growing!