Description
Chamomile Seeds – Matricaria chamomilla
Grow your own Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) with our quality Chamomile Seeds. This attractive annual herb produces small, daisy-like flowers with white petals and yellow centres, along with a delicate apple-like fragrance.
Chamomile makes a lovely addition to herb gardens, cottage gardens and flower borders. The cheerful flowers also attract bees and other beneficial insects to the garden.
Chamomile has a long history of traditional use in Europe and is particularly well known as a traditional herbal tea. The dried flowers have a pleasant, naturally sweet and aromatic flavour.
Growing Chamomile from Seed
Chamomile is relatively easy to grow from seed and is well suited to home gardens. Choose a sunny position or an area with light shade and use sandy, well-drained soil.
Sow the seeds onto the surface of suitable seed-raising mix and press them gently into the soil. Chamomile seeds are small and generally need light to germinate, so avoid covering them deeply.
Keep the growing medium lightly moist while the seeds germinate. Once the young plants become established, water regularly as needed, particularly during dry periods.
Chamomile does not require particularly rich soil and generally performs well in light, well-drained conditions. Avoid overwatering, as consistently wet soil can affect healthy growth.
Caring for Chamomile
Chamomile grows into a delicate, branching plant with numerous small flowers. Regular harvesting of the flowers can encourage continued flowering throughout the growing season.
Choose a position with plenty of sunlight for the best flowering. However, light shade can also be suitable, particularly in warmer conditions.
The flowers are ready to harvest when they are fully open. Pick them on a dry day and allow them to dry thoroughly before storing. Dried Chamomile flowers can be used to prepare a traditional herbal infusion.
Traditional Chamomile Tea
Chamomile flowers have been enjoyed as a traditional herbal tea for generations. The dried flowers produce a light, fragrant infusion with a naturally gentle and slightly sweet flavour.
Chamomile tea can be enjoyed on its own or combined with other herbs. The delicate apple-like aroma makes it a popular choice for those who enjoy traditional herbal infusions.
Chamomile Plant Information
Botanical name: Matricaria chamomilla
Common names: Chamomile, German Chamomile, Wild Chamomile
Family: Asteraceae
Plant type: Annual herb
Flowers: White petals with yellow centres
Growing conditions: Full sun to light shade, sandy well-drained soil
Form: Seeds
With its pretty daisy-like flowers and distinctive fragrance, Chamomile is both an attractive garden plant and a traditional herb. It is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to grow their own flowers for herbal tea.
