Chamomile
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
A soothing, aromatic herb with daisy‑like flowers used for calming teas and natural garden charm
🌿 Chamomile, often called German chamomile, is a delicate, airy annual known for its sweetly scented, daisy‑like flowers. Loved for centuries in herbal teas and traditional remedies, it brings a soft, calming presence to both garden and kitchen. Easy to grow, highly floriferous, and attractive to pollinators, chamomile is a beautiful addition to borders, herb beds, and wildlife‑friendly gardens. Its flowers are harvested and dried for teas, infusions, and gentle aromatic uses.
Flowers
The flowers have a sweet aroma with a gentle, soothing flavour.
• Perfect for herbal teas and infusions
• Lovely in syrups, honey infusions, and desserts
• Can be added to baking for a floral note
• Use fresh or dried
Flower flavour: sweet, floral, calming
Leaves
The feathery leaves are edible but mild.
• Can be used sparingly in salads
• Mostly valued for their aroma rather than flavour
Leaf flavour: mild, herbal
🌼 Medicinal & Nutritional Notes
Chamomile is valued for its aromatic flowers and naturally occurring plant compounds.
🌿 Nutrients
• Contains small amounts of vitamins A and C
• Provides minerals such as calcium and potassium
🧪 Key Compounds
• Chamazulene and bisabolol, responsible for its sweet, calming aroma
• Naturally occurring flavonoids and polyphenols
💛 Traditional & Research‑Linked Properties
(General information only — not medical advice.)
• Traditionally associated with calming and soothing herbal uses
• Widely used in teas for relaxation
• Flowers contain aromatic, antioxidant‑rich plant compounds
🌿 Garden Benefits
• Produces masses of daisy‑like flowers
• Highly attractive to bees and hoverflies
• Adds a soft, airy texture to borders
• Self‑seeds gently for natural drifts
• Excellent for wildlife gardens and cottage‑style planting
🌱 Growing Requirements
Location
• Prefers full sun
• Thrives in well‑drained, light soil
Planting
• Sow or plant in spring
• Ideal for herb beds, borders, and wildlife areas
• Space to allow airy growth
Care
• Water regularly until established
• Deadhead to encourage more blooms
• Allow some flowers to set seed if you want natural self‑sowing
• Stake lightly in exposed sites
Harvesting
• Pick fully open flowers on dry days
• Dry in a warm, airy place for teas
• Harvest regularly to prolong flowering
📏 Plant Details
Botanical name: Matricaria chamomilla
Common names: Chamomile, German chamomile
Type: Annual herb
Aspect: Full sun
Hardiness: Hardy annual
Flower colour: White with yellow centres
Height: 20–40cm
Spread: 20–30cm
