Chamomile

Growing Chamomile - Standard Garden Substrate, Sunny Location or Partial Shade, Moderate Watering

Chamomile Cultivation - Basic Requirements

Chamomile is an undemanding medicinal plant that thrives in most garden conditions. For successful cultivation, you need standard garden substrate, a location with plenty of sunlight or partial shade, and moderate watering. Chamomile is ideal for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Optimal Substrate for Chamomile

Chamomile doesn't require special soil - standard garden substrate with good drainage is sufficient. The soil should be:

Well-drained - chamomile doesn't tolerate waterlogging
Light to medium heavy - sandy-loam soils are ideal
pH neutral to slightly acidic (6.0-7.5)
Moderately fertile - doesn't need excessive nutrients

You can improve heavy soils by adding sand or perlite for better drainage.

Light Requirements - Sun and Partial Shade

Chamomile thrives best in sunny locations where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, it also tolerates partial shade, making it a versatile plant for various garden spots.

Ideal Location:

Full sun - highest flower production and essential oil content
Light partial shade - still grows well, slightly lower yields
Protection from strong winds
Good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases

Watering Chamomile - Moderate Approach

Moderate watering is key to successful chamomile cultivation. The plant is drought-resistant but appreciates regular moisture:

Water regularly but not excessively
Let the topsoil dry between waterings
Avoid waterlogging - causes root rot
Increase watering during flowering
Morning watering is best

Planting and Care

Sowing and Planting:

Direct sowing from April to June
Sow seeds on the surface - need light to germinate
Spacing: 15-20 cm between plants
Germination: 7-14 days at 15-20°C

Basic Care:

Minimal fertilizing - excessive nutrients reduce essential oil content
Regular weeding, especially in early growth
Remove spent flowers to extend flowering period
Self-seeding - chamomile easily reproduces on its own

Harvesting and Use

Harvest fully open flowers during dry weather, preferably in the morning after dew has evaporated. Dry flowers in a shaded, well-ventilated area and store in airtight containers.

Chamomile is excellent for preparing calming teas, herbal baths, cosmetics, and as a companion plant in the garden where it supports the health of surrounding plants.

The plant is smaller, 10 to 80 cm tall. Chamomile is highly aromatic.

It grows very abundantly in fields, meadows, village greens, dumps, vineyards, also along paths and walls. Occasionally it also grows in clusters. You can find chamomile from Asia to Europe. We also have a very high-quality cultivar called Bohemia (Chamomilla bohemica).

The drug and medicinal substance is contained in the flower heads (flos chamomillae vulgaris) with stems up to 2cm long. Non-overblown flowers are collected, the ray florets should be uniform and the disc bright yellow. Chamomile can be harvested several times a year, as the plant quickly regenerates and blooms again.

The main medicinal substance has a pleasantly aromatic scent and tastes spicy and slightly bitter. It is primarily an essential oil, which occurs in chamomile in amounts from 1% to 3%. Chamomile has excellent anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effects. Chamomile relieves cramps, especially of smooth muscles, also acts weakly diuretic (water excretion) and diaphoretic (facilitates sweating). It is used for digestive system diseases, mainly for stomach and intestinal problems, also for diarrhea, urinary tract infections, colds and convalescence. Externally, it also acts as a disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and heals tissue. The drug is valued in dermatology and ophthalmology. For hemorrhoids, rinses, baths, etc.

Chamomile is used independently, in the form of tea, mouthwash or bath. The effects of chamomile are fully manifested when using tea, in which the substances can be more easily released due to high temperature.