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
