There are a whole range of different types of chamomile, of which only real chamomile and Roman chamomile have any significance in the medicinal garden. You don't need to buy the annual herb in the supermarket or laboriously collect it in nature, because the relatively undemanding plant can be easily cultivated in your own garden and even in a pot.
How should I plant and care for chamomile?
The real chamomile prefers a sunny, warm and dry location. It thrives best in loamy-sandy, humus-rich and nutrient-rich substrate with a pH value between 6.5 to 8. Sow the seeds in May or prefer them on the windowsill from March.
Which location does chamomile prefer?
The real chamomile needs a location that is as sunny, warm and dry as possible.
Which substrate is optimal for cultivation?
The optimal substrate is loamy to slightly sandy, humus-rich and nutrient-rich. The soil should only be slightly moist, as real chamomile prefers it to be dry - if the plant is too wet, it will not thrive. The pH value should be between 6.5 to 8 in the slightly acidic to basic range. The medicinal herb also thrives in black soil.
When can chamomile seeds be planted?
The seeds are usually sown directly into the bed from the beginning of May. But you can also plant them in autumn (September / October); the resulting plants can overwinter well with a little protection (for example by covering brushwood).
How is chamomile sown?
The real chamomile is a light germinator, so the fine seeds should not be covered with soil. The sowing site must be prepared well in advance: the soil is loosened and raked well, weeds are completely removed and ripe compost (€12.00 on Amazon) is applied.
Can I also prefer real chamomile?
From the beginning of March you can also use real chamomile on the windowsill. From the beginning of May, the young plants belong in the bed or in the pot in the fresh air.
Is pot culture possible?
Yes, real chamomile can also be cultivated in pots (e.g. on the balcony). However, it is not a houseplant because the chamomile always has to be outside.
When does chamomile bloom and when can it be harvested?
The pretty flowers with the bright white halo can be admired between May and September. Only harvest the flowers when they have fully bloomed.
Good neighbors / Bad neighbors
In a mixed culture, chamomile gets along very well with kohlrabi and other types of cabbage, onions, leeks, celery as well as potatoes and nasturtiums.
Tips & Tricks
The fully bloomed flower heads are best harvested on a sunny and warm day at midday, as this is when the essential oil content is highest.
