The Growing Stages of Chamomile: From Seed to Harvest

Chamomile is a popular herb recognized for its delicate, daisy-like flowers and common use in herbal teas. Its straightforward growth habit makes it a favorite among home gardeners. Understanding this life cycle provides the foundation needed to cultivate this fragrant herb.

Germination Stage

The journey of a chamomile plant begins with seed germination, which takes 7 to 14 days. The two most common varieties, German and Roman chamomile, have slightly different requirements. German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) seeds are photoblastic, meaning they need light to sprout, so they should be sown on the soil’s surface and pressed down gently without being covered.

In contrast, Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) seeds can be lightly covered with a thin layer of soil, no more than a quarter-inch deep. Both types thrive in soil with a temperature between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Whether starting indoors or sowing directly in the garden, maintaining consistent moisture is important. The soil should remain damp but not waterlogged to ensure the seeds sprout.

Seedling and Vegetative Growth

After sprouting, the chamomile seedling enters a phase of vegetative growth. The first leaves to appear are the simple, oval-shaped cotyledons, soon followed by the plant’s distinctively feathery and fern-like “true leaves.”

During this period, thinning the seedlings prevents them from becoming overcrowded. Space German chamomile plants about 4 to 6 inches apart to ensure adequate air circulation and resources. Roman chamomile should be thinned to about 9 inches apart to accommodate its spreading nature. This stage is dedicated to producing a mound of its light green, aromatic leaves.

Chamomile performs best in a location that receives full sun. It is a resilient plant that tolerates poor soil and does not require fertilizer. A consistent watering schedule that allows the soil to dry out slightly between waterings is sufficient, as the plant is drought-tolerant once established.

Flowering Stage

The flowering stage occurs 60 to 90 days after planting, when small buds begin to form at the tips of the stems. These buds are initially compact and green, gradually swelling as they prepare to open. This begins a blooming period that will last throughout the summer.

The classic chamomile flower emerges from these buds, featuring a ring of white petals that radiate from a raised, cone-shaped yellow center. These blossoms are about one inch in diameter and contain the aromatic oils the plant is known for. A healthy plant will produce a continuous supply of these flowers, often covering the feathery foliage.

German chamomile grows tall and produces a high volume of flowers in a single season. Roman chamomile, a low-growing perennial, also flowers generously. The consistent production of blossoms ensures that there are always flowers at different points of maturity.

Harvesting and End of Life Cycle

The ideal time to pick the blossoms is on a sunny morning after any dew has evaporated, when the flowers are fully open. At this point, the white petals are often bent slightly backward from the yellow center, indicating peak maturity. Gently pinch or snip off the flower heads without taking much stem.

This regular picking of flowers functions as deadheading, signaling the plant to redirect its energy into creating new buds rather than setting seed. This prolongs the blooming period, allowing for multiple harvests from a single plant. The collected flowers can then be used fresh or dried for later use.

The final stage of the life cycle differs between the two main varieties. German chamomile is an annual, so its life concludes within a single growing season. If blossoms are left on the plant, it will produce seeds and then die back with the first hard frost. Roman chamomile is a perennial that spreads through creeping runners, and its root system remains alive to send up new growth the following spring.