Chamomile Growing Guide

Chamomile does best in a well-drained, sunny location. To start indoors, sow about a month before planning to transplant with a lightweight soil. When transplanting, be extra careful not to disturb the roots. In fact, it may be best to plant the entire pot with the seedlings. If starting outdoors, plant after the last spring frost in rows. Chamomile blooms best in a location with full sun, but it will grow in partial shade, too. In fact, in hot Southern climates, chamomile benefits from a bit of afternoon shade, which will help keep the blooms from drooping. Before planting chamomile, prepare your garden bed by adding compost or other organic material to the soil, especially if your soil is primarily clay or sand. Press firmly into the soil and water. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Expose seedlings to direct light.

People that are allergic to ragweed will probably exhibit an allergy to chamomile. A reaction can be triggered after application of a cream containing chamomile or after consumption of tea.

Chamomile flowers are best harvested around midday on a sunny day. This is when the flowers are most open and the essential oil content is at its highest. Simply harvest the flowers by cutting them off at the stem just below the flowerhead. Take care to hold the chamomile flowers as gently as possible – handle them as little as possible during harvesting and never wash them afterwards. Chamomile flowers are ready to harvest when they are at full bloom. Ideally, the blossoms are open to their fullest, just before the tiny white petals begin to droop down, as that is when their beneficial properties may not be at their fullest.

Dry the flowers of the German chamomile straight after harvesting in a dry, dark room. With these conditions, the drying time is about two weeks. If using an oven, it is recommended to use a low temperature − around 86°F. Drying out the chamomile at higher temperatures can degrade the medicinal substances of the chamomile. Dried correctly, the chamomile flowers can be stored in a glass airtight container for up to a year without losing effectiveness. You can also freeze chamomile to preserve it. This is quicker than drying, but frozen flowers are less suitable for making tea. Frozen, the flowers will keep for up to six months.