Holly's Homestead — Annual Herb
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla · Daisy family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Annual, direct sown
MATURITY 60–65 days to flower
TYPE Annual, direct sown
MATURITY 60–65 days to flower
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Regular
Soil pH
6.0–7.5
Spacing
15–20cm
Depth
surface sown (needs light)
01Grown for the flowers
Unlike most herbs grown for leaf, chamomile is grown for its small daisy-like flowers — picked and dried for tea. Regular picking encourages more blooms.
02Planting
Method
Surface sow — seed needs light to germinate, don't bury it.
Soil
Well-drained, moderately fertile.
Timing
Sow in spring or autumn.
Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.
03Growing care
- Keep soil surface moist until germination.
- Pick flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming.
- Water moderately — avoid extremes of wet or dry.
- Let a few flowers go to seed at season's end for self-sowing.
04Problems
- Aphids — occasional cluster on stems; hose off.
- Powdery mildew — humid, crowded conditions; space well.
- Few other issues — a generally easy, trouble-free plant.
- Poor germination — usually from burying seed too deep.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Flowers are fully open, petals starting to fold back slightly.
Method
Pick flower heads by hand.
Curing
Dry flowers flat on a screen or paper in a warm, airy spot.
Storage
Dried, airtight, a year or so.
Preserving
See Dehydrating (drying leafy herbs for storage) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
CabbageOnionAvoid nearby
None majorRotation note
Fast annual; rotate loosely.
