Chamomile gives you a carpet of little daisy flowers for calming teas, and doubles as a cheerful, bee-friendly bloom. It's easy, pretty and undemanding in a sunny raised bed.
Quick facts
- Position: full sun to part shade
- Spacing: 20 cm apart
- Tub depth: our 23 cm depth
- Time to harvest: 10–12 weeks to flower
When to plant: Sow or plant in spring and autumn. German chamomile is a self-seeding annual; Roman chamomile is a low perennial — both grow easily. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.
Growing it in a raised bed: Sow into free-draining mix in a sunny spot. German chamomile self-seeds happily, so let a few flowers drop for next year's crop.
Watering and feeding: Water moderately — chamomile tolerates dry spells well once established.
Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids — though most herbs are pleasingly pest-resistant. See our safe pest guide.
Common problems: the main one to watch is powdery mildew, usually from damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow and morning watering prevent most.
Companion plants: A classic companion said to boost the health of nearby plants; the flowers feed bees and hoverflies. See our companion planting guide.
Harvest and storage: Pick the flowers when fully open, ideally in the morning. Dry them in an airy, shaded spot for tea.
More growing guides: lemon balm, dill and thyme.
Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.
Image: JackyM59, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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