Leslie Massey
Chamomile is a beautiful flowering herb that can be grown in Australia. It is noted for its calming properties and is commonly used to make tea. German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is the plant of choice for chamomile tea, but other varieties such as Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) and Matricaria recutita (English chamomile) are also used. Chamomile is easy to grow from seed and can be directly sown into pots or garden beds. It prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade, and while it grows well in sandy, well-drained soil, it can adapt to a wide range of growing conditions. With its low-growing habit, chamomile is perfect for ground cover, lawn substitutes, and mass planting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | German chamomile, wild chamomile, blue chamomile, Roman chamomile, English chamomile, garden chamomile, lawn chamomile |
| Scientific names | Matricaria recutita, Matricaria chamomilla, Chamaemelum nobile, Anthemis nobilis |
| Plant type | Annual or perennial flowering herb |
| Height | 30 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm |
| Flower colour | White, yellow |
| Soil type | Sandy, well-drained; tolerates a wide range of growing conditions |
| Sunlight | Full sun to light shade; full sun is ideal |
| Sowing depth | No deeper than 4mm |
| Sowing time in Australia | September to November or from March to April |
| Sowing method | Scatter seeds in a sunny spot, cover lightly with soil, firm down and water gently |
| Feeding | Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with liquid plant food; fertiliser is not usually required but can be added if the soil is poor |
| Mulching | Mulch with organic matter like bark chips, sugar cane or pea straw once seedlings reach 5 cm |
| Uses | Tea, lawn substitute, ground cover, companion planting |
| Harvesting | Rake fingers through flowers and gently tug to harvest flower heads; steep in boiling water for tea |
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What You'll Learn
German chamomile is best for tea
If you're looking to grow chamomile in Australia for tea, German chamomile is the best variety to choose. German chamomile, or Matricaria chamomilla, is one of the most common varieties of chamomile used for tea. It has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to calm anxiety, aid digestion, and settle stomachs.
German chamomile is easy to grow from seeds sown directly in a sunny spot in your garden or in pots. Prepare the planting area by digging in compost and fertiliser. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water them gently, keeping the soil moist during the germination period. When the seedlings reach around 5 cm in height, mulch around the base of the plants with an organic material such as bark chips, sugar cane, or pea straw. Feed your chamomile plants every one to two weeks with a liquid plant food.
Harvest the flower heads when the flowers are open wide and dry. You can do this by simply raking your fingers through the flowers and gently tugging to pull off the flower heads. Allow the flower heads to dry, then place them in a tea infuser or tea ball. Add hot water and honey or lemon juice to make a soothing cup of tea. Not only is German chamomile delicious, but it's also good for your health and can be grown and enjoyed without the waste of tea bags.
German chamomile is an excellent choice for tea due to its flavour and health benefits. It has a sweeter and less musty flavour compared to some other varieties of chamomile tea. It also has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative, and anti-anxiety properties, which can help to relieve anxiety and discomfort associated with premenstrual syndrome. Additionally, studies suggest that chamomile tea may lower blood sugar in people with diabetes and help prevent osteoporosis. However, it's important to consult a doctor before consuming chamomile tea if you have any health conditions or are taking medication.
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Sow seeds in spring
Sowing chamomile seeds in spring is a great way to get a head start on growing this beneficial plant. German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is the most common variety grown for tea, and it can be sown directly into the soil in spring. It's important to prepare the planting area by choosing a spot that receives full sun to light shade. Dig in some compost or organic fertiliser to improve the soil quality.
When sowing chamomile seeds, scatter them onto the prepared bed or directly onto the soil surface. Chamomile seeds are very small, so they should not be sown deeper than 4mm deep. Gently press the seeds into the soil to ensure good contact, as this will help with germination. Cover the seeds with a light layer of seed-raising mix and firm down the soil.
Keep the soil moist during the germination period by watering gently. Chamomile seeds typically take about two weeks to germinate. Once the seedlings reach a height of approximately 5 cm, you can start to thin them out. Transplant the seedlings to other prepared areas of your garden or pots, being careful not to damage the roots.
Chamomile thrives in well-drained, sandy soil and can tolerate a range of growing conditions. It prefers full sun but can still flower in light shade. In warmer climates, provide some shade from the hot afternoon sun to prevent the plants from suffering. Regular weeding is essential, especially when planting directly into the soil, and watering is crucial during the establishment stage.
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Choose a sunny spot
When growing chamomile in Australia, it is important to choose a sunny spot in your garden. German chamomile, for instance, grows best in full sun for optimum flower production. However, in warmer climates, chamomile plants may suffer in full sun, so choose a spot that receives shade from the hot afternoon sun.
Chamomile is a small plant, typically growing to about 30 cm in height, and is perfect for mass planting and lawn substitutes. It is a low-growing ground cover that can be planted in rockeries as a border or in containers for charming potted colour. When choosing a spot for your chamomile, consider its mature size and whether you want to use it as a lawn substitute or ground cover.
If you plan to grow chamomile as a lawn substitute, choose a spot that receives light foot traffic. Chamomile benefits from being walked on and can be mown to remove the flower heads. However, it does poorly if walked on regularly, so choose a location where foot traffic is minimal.
When selecting a sunny spot for your chamomile, consider the soil type as well. German chamomile grows best in sandy, well-drained soil but will tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. Ensure that the soil is nutrient-rich by adding organic matter or compost to the planting area. You can also improve the soil by digging in compost and a soil improver and plant fertiliser.
Overall, when choosing a sunny spot for growing chamomile in Australia, consider the amount of sunlight the area receives, the soil type, and whether you want to use chamomile as a lawn substitute or ground cover. By providing optimal growing conditions, you can encourage healthy chamomile plants and enjoy their beauty and benefits.
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Transplant when small
Transplanting chamomile is a simple process. First, gently dig around the plant, being careful not to damage the roots. Prepare a hole in the desired location and transplant the chamomile seedling to the new hole. It is recommended to transplant chamomile when the seedlings are small, around 5 cm high. This can be done by thinning the seedlings at approximately 5 cm in height.
Chamomile is a hardy plant, but using a gentle fertiliser on transplants can ease their transition. One example of a gentle fertiliser is Seasol. Transplanting chamomile when the plants are small can help to ensure the plants become established and spread to form a mat.
When transplanting, it is important to choose a suitable location. Chamomile grows best in full sun but will still flower in light shade. In warmer climates, chamomile may suffer in full sun, so a location with shade from the hot afternoon sun is ideal. Additionally, chamomile grows best in sandy, well-drained soil, but it will tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.
If you are transplanting chamomile to a pot, choose a pot that is at least 200 mm wide and deep. Chamomile can also be grown as a lawn substitute and is suitable for mass planting. When grown as a lawn, chamomile plants should be spaced no more than 6 cm apart so that they can spread and form a mat.
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Dry flowers for tea
To dry chamomile flowers for tea, you should first harvest the flowers when they are in full bloom. The best time to harvest is on a warm morning when the flowers are open wide and dry. The easiest way to harvest the flower heads is to rake your fingers through the flowers and gently tug as you go, pulling off the flower heads. You can harvest from a few of the biggest plants, and this will encourage another flush of flowers, giving you the opportunity to harvest a second batch later on.
Once you have collected the flower heads, you can place them on a tray or a layer of butcher's paper in a single layer. Leave them to dry in a warm, dry place, out of direct sunlight, for one to two weeks. You should shake the flowers every couple of days to ensure there is no moisture and that they are drying evenly. You can also use a drying rack, a splatter screen, or a mesh screen to dry the flowers.
Once the flowers are fully dried, you can store them in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark place. To make tea, use about a teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers per cup. Place the blossoms in a tea infuser, pour boiling water over them, and steep for 3-5 minutes. You can also add ice cubes after steeping for a fresh-flavoured iced tea.
It is important to note that chamomile flowers can sometimes have small bugs in them. To address this, gently shake the buds to dislodge any remaining bugs and place them in a well-ventilated area to allow the bugs to crawl away. Rinsing the buds can cause mould, so it is recommended to lightly mist the buds with water before harvesting and ensuring they dry thoroughly.
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Frequently asked questions
German chamomile seeds should be sown in Australia from September to November or from March to April.
Choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun to light shade and prepare the planting area by digging in compost and fertiliser. Sow the seeds directly into their final position, no deeper than 4mm deep, and cover lightly with a seed raising mix. Gently water the seeds and keep the soil moist throughout the germination period.
Chamomile seeds will germinate in about two weeks.
Once the seedlings have grown to about 5 cm tall, place a light layer of organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane or pea straw, around the base of the plant. Feed the seedlings every one to two weeks with liquid plant food. Water the seedlings regularly until they are established, then only occasionally as they mature to avoid overwatering.
When the flowers are open wide and dry, harvest the flower heads by simply raking your fingers through the flowers and gently tugging to pull them off. Place the flowers on a layer of butcher's paper and leave them to dry for two weeks. To make chamomile tea, place two teaspoons of dried flower heads in a cup, pour in boiling water and steep for 10 minutes.
