When it comes to planting and care, growing chamomile is about as easy as it gets. In the wild, this hardy herb thrives in some of the scantiest soils imaginable, so in your home garden, all it really asks for is plenty of warmth and sunshine. Let’s walk through how to successfully sow those charming white-and-yellow chamomile blooms.
When to Plant Chamomile
You’ve actually got two great windows for sowing chamomile seeds: early autumn or spring. The perk of a late autumn planting is that you’ll usually get a much bigger harvest the following year. If you go this route, aim to get your seeds in the ground between mid-August and late September so the seedlings are strong enough to handle the winter.
If you prefer a spring start, wait until early May. You want to make sure the worst of the frost has passed so a sudden cold snap doesn’t stress out your new sprouts.
How to Sow Your Seeds
Chamomile seeds are “light germinators,” which means they need sunlight to wake up. When planting, just press them gently into the soil rather than burying them. This “pressing in” step is super important—since the seeds are tiny and light, a quick gust of wind can blow them right out of your garden if they aren’t tucked in.
If you want to keep things even simpler, you can let nature do the work. After the flowering season, just let the withered flower heads drop to the ground. Chamomile is a pro at self-seeding, and new plants will pop up all on their own next season.
Pro Tip: While your chamomile is getting established, keep the area weed-free. This ensures your young plants have plenty of “elbow room” and airflow to grow strong.
Starting Seeds Indoors
If you want a head start, you can begin your chamomile in pots indoors starting in March. This is a clever way to avoid those unpredictable spring cold snaps that can stunt growth.
Use a high-quality seed-starting mix or herb soil and place your pots in a warm, bright spot. Use a spray bottle to keep the soil consistently moist, but be careful not to overwater—you want damp, not soggy. By May, your sturdy little seedlings will be ready to move into larger containers or right into your garden beds.
Quick Tips for Success
Don’t have any seed-starting mix on hand? No worries! You can use regular potting soil for your indoor starts. Just mix in a little garden lime (available at any garden center or online) to give the soil a boost and help your chamomile grow healthy and strong.
