If you’re a tea lover, you’ll be happy to know you can grow chamomile right in your own backyard. With the proper tools and techniques, you can have a lifetime supply of this apple-scented, beloved tea plant. Let’s explore how you can grow a chamomile lawn and never again drink the store-bought variety.
What is chamomile?
Most of us have had chamomile tea at least once in our lives. If you’ve drunk this sweet tea but don’t know much about the plant itself, chamomile is used for medicinal purposes, skincare products, and commercial beverage production. It belongs to the Asteraceae family of plants, boasting fragrant white flowers adorned with a yellow center. Due to its appearance, chamomile can easily be mistaken for daisies.
Chamomile is easy to grow and inexpensive to purchase. For thousands of years, people have used chamomile to cure illnesses, though today, many stick to simply drinking the tea. The apple tang melts on your tongue, leaving a refreshing, calming taste in its wake.
Types of chamomile
Chamomile can be broken down into three main types:
- Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
- German chamomile (Matricaria recutita/Matricaria chamomila)
- Treneague chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
For chamomile lawns, Roman chamomile is the best choice, growing into a dense, close-knit carpet that can give any turfgrass lawn a run for its money. Another benefit is the fragrant smell of fresh apples you’ll always have with this type of lawn.
To learn more about Roman chamomile’s growth needs, take a look at our detailed characteristic breakdown.
Duration – Perennial
Plant type – Edible
Appearance – Grayish-green leaves that are flatter and thicker than their German counterparts. Each stem has several white flowers attached to it. The flowers feature rounded central discs. Its essential oil color alternates between green, pale yellow, and bright blue.
Uses – The tea produced reduces gastrointestinal conditions and inflammation. Roman chamomile is also often used as an alternative to grass turf, making a beautiful, low-maintenance ground cover.
Taste – Fresh, light apple taste
Height – Typically doesn’t exceed 6 to 8 inches. Its tallest form is around 1 foot.
Width – Around 18 inches
USDA hardiness zones – 4 to 11
Growth type – Low-growing, creeping, spreading
Bloom time – June to September
Sunlight needs – Full sun to partial shade
Soil needs – Light, nutrient-rich, moist soil
Drought tolerance – Moderate to high
Disease potential – Low
Pest potential – Low
Maintenance needs – Low
Foot traffic tolerance – Low
Fertilizer needs – Low to none
Treneague chamomile, another variety of Roman chamomile, is a great lawn option if you want to forego the flowers and simply boast a rich, evergreen, aromatic mat year-round. This “dwarf” type of chamomile only grows 2 to 4 inches tall and must be propagated by division, but once formed, you’ll have a thick carpet your neighbors will surely envy. Treneague is often found along paths, providing visual appeal and a fragrance that will have you coming back for more.
German chamomile is the annual, more potent cousin of Roman chamomile, reaching up to 2 feet in height and boasting a sweet, straw taste. It’s a bush-like shrub with fern-shaped, light-green leaves and white, daisy-like flowers. Each stem has a single flower with yellow, hollow central cones.
German chamomile grows too tall and doesn’t quite check the boxes for a lush, thick lawn. This variety is better suited for a flower garden, adding that bit of wildness to the mix. Due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-spasmodic properties, German chamomile is also often used to increase relaxation, reduce inflammation, and relieve anxiety, diarrhea, and heartburn.
How to grow a chamomile lawn
If you’re sick of mowing and dealing with dry patches, diseases, and pests, growing your very own chamomile lawn may be the answer. This fragrant plant can make a striking lawn that will remain green even in very hot, dry weather. Add to that its many medicinal benefits and natural pollinator appeal, and you have the perfect recipe for a lawn that keeps on giving.
To start growing your own chamomile lawn, you can either seed chamomile directly onto your lawn or transplant seedlings from indoor pots. Transplantation results in a sturdier lawn but can cost more if the seedlings must be purchased from local garden centers or online suppliers. The process also involves more preparation and effort on your part.
It’s also important to note that, although chamomile can be seeded onto an existing lawn, the turfgrass will eventually overtake the chamomile. For optimal results, both in appearance and overall uses, replace your grass lawn with a chamomile-only lawn.
To get started, gather the following tools and materials:
- Seeds or store-bought seedlings
- Compost
- Pre-emergent herbicide
- Shovel
- Gloves
- Soil testing kit
- A hoe or cultivator with a long handle
To start benefiting from everything chamomile has to offer, follow these simple steps:
Test your soil
Prior to seeding, test your soil for nutrients and pH levels. Make necessary amendments with slow-release fertilizer if the soil is nutrient deficient and bring the pH to ideal levels. Lime can decrease soil acidity, while alkaline soils benefit from sulfur or peat moss.
To find out where you can have your soil tested in your area, visit the State Agriculture website and select your state. Follow the link to the official Department of Agriculture website and look for information on the nearest testing lab.
Prepare your lawn
Choose the planting area, which should have plenty of sun exposure, and make sure it’s leaf- and debris-free. Use a hoe to break up the soil and remove stubborn weeds. Do so a few times and apply pre-emergent herbicide to prevent dormant weeds from sprouting and competing with the chamomile. Wait a couple of days before seeding to ensure your soil is indeed weed-free, as the weed removal process can become significantly more complicated after the fact.
Level out your soil and add sand or compost if it’s too heavy. Mix well with a rake. For ideal results, try to achieve a light soil such as sandy loam.
Plant the chamomile seeds or seedlings
Seeds
Chamomile grows best from seeds, which you should plant in early spring or fall. Ideally, the soil temperature should be between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow the seeds about 7 inches apart and 1 mm deep. They’ll germinate after 7 to 14 days and bloom within 10 weeks.
Seedlings
Chamomile seedlings grown indoors should first be acclimated to outdoor weather before being sowed. A week prior to planting, place them in a sheltered outdoor area, preventing exposure to wind, sun, or frost. Once the week has passed, plant your seedlings 7 inches apart, pressing them about 1 mm into the soil and covering them with a very thin layer of soil that still allows light to penetrate.
Water your chamomile lawn
Young plants should receive about 1 inch of water per week. As they mature, chamomile plants become impressively drought-resistant, which means maintenance won’t be a concern. That said, you should still water your chamomile lawn in extremely hot, dry weather. Wait for the soil to dry in between waterings.
Care for your chamomile lawn
Tender chamomile lawns shouldn’t be walked on for at least 12-13 weeks, allowing the plant to find its footing and grow strong roots. In the first year, watch your step and keep foot traffic to a minimum. Once mature, your chamomile lawn will only require sun and occasional watering to remain beautiful, fragrant, and blooming.
To ensure new, lush, thick growth, cut the plants in early spring using a mower. If you opt for the non-flowering cultivar, Treneague, you can skip mowing; instead, use shears to clean up any unkempt areas in late summer.
Finally, the best thing you can do for your chamomile lawn is to always keep it weed-free.
Pros of chamomile
For thousands of years, people have used chamomile to make tea, treat inflammation, and extract essential oils. If you’re unfamiliar with everything chamomile has to offer, we provide an overview of the benefits associated with this pretty aromatic plant.
- Once mature, chamomile requires very little maintenance apart from water and full sun.
- Chamomile is a pollinator-friendly plant, attracting everything from bees to butterflies and everything in between.
- Because of its flavonoid and terpenoid properties, chamomile has successfully been used to treat stomach conditions, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, mouth sores as a result of cancer treatments, and more.
- Chamomile tea is tasty, sweet, and lightly apple-flavored, making for a potent and refreshing combination.
- Apart from aphids, a type of pest that typically feeds on new chamomile growth, chamomile is virtually pest- and disease-free. To get rid of these tiny critters, use a garden hose to remove them. We also recommend spraying your lawn with insecticide, though avoid doing this right before harvesting the flowers for use.
- The scent of chamomile successfully repels insects such as mosquitoes, so consider using it as an environmentally friendly bug deterrent.
- Chamomile is a good companion plant to vegetables, not only for its ability to aid cucumber, onion, and cabbage growth but also because it successfully fends off pests attracted to these types of produce.
Cons of chamomile
Despite the many qualities under its belt, chamomile comes with some disadvantages and side effects. Here’s a complete list for your consideration.
- Chamomile is incompatible with heavy clay soil, as it’s too wet in winter and extremely dry in summer. It also doesn’t thrive in rocky soil. Consider an alternative to chamomile or amend your soil accordingly in such cases.
- Chamomile lawns don’t like foot traffic, such as from pets and children running back and forth.
- When it comes to shade, ensure your chamomile lawn gets as little as possible. This plant thrives in full sun, though a little shade here and there is acceptable.
- If attacked by weeds, chamomile will quickly be overrun. Stay on top of weeding, and don’t use harsh, potent chemical herbicides to fix the problem. Instead, remove weeds by hand and only spray particularly difficult areas with an eco-friendly herbicide solution.
How to propagate a chamomile lawn
Propagating chamomile depends on the variety, first and foremost. German chamomile benefits from seed reproduction, while Roman chamomile (including Treneague) is best propagated by division. Regardless of the type, propagation should occur after the threat of frost has passed.
Roman and Treneague Chamomile Propagation
Roman chamomile requires propagation to a higher degree than the German variety. This is because it spreads rapidly, and overgrowth can quickly become a problem. Treneague chamomile requires propagation by division due to the absence of flowers and seeds.
Here’s how to do it:
- Gather tools such as a spade or garden fork, a container at least six inches deep, and soil for potting.
- Dig up the plant (whether from the ground or a pot), shake off any excess soil, and cut off a section, including roots.
- Place the separated piece into a new pot and surround it with soil. Alternatively, you can plant it in another section of your garden.
- Water the soil just enough to keep it moist but not wet. Repeat the process until you notice new growth.
German Chamomile Propagation
With German chamomile, you’ll have an easier time growing it from seed. One way is to allow for self-seeding: simply leave a few flowerheads full of seeds on your lawn, and the plant will sow them on its own the following season.
Another way is to collect the seeds and spread them out in your desired area during fall. Add a layer of mulch on top to protect them from winter’s cold temperatures.
If you’d prefer to sow the seeds in spring (after the last frost), pick them for indoor storage. Around 4 to 5 weeks before transplantation, fill seed trays with organic potting mix, sow the seeds, keep them moist, and place them under fluorescent or natural light for germination.
Don’t transplant chamomile taller than 2 or 3 inches, as the process won’t yield positive results.
How to collect and store chamomile flowers for tea
The right time to pick chamomile flowers depends on the time of year, the time of day, and the weather. Between June and September, pick a sunny day to collect your chamomile flowers. Preferably, you should do this around noon, when the flowers are open, and their essential oil levels are at their highest. For a perfect harvest, about two-thirds of the tiny yellow bulbs in the center of the flowerhead should be in full bloom, and the petals turned downward.
Take the stem gently into your hand and cut the flowers off right below the flowerhead. Try to handle them as little as possible to avoid possible damage or stress, all of which can decrease the benefits brought by the plant. You can also simply pluck them off the stem if you’re craving a nice brew. Keep in mind that dried flowers produce the most potent tea, though fresh ones can achieve the same result in larger quantities.
To dry the flowerheads:
- Spread them out onto a newspaper in a dry, dark room. Maintain a temperature of between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and watch out for any insects.
- For a quicker drying time, pop the flowerheads into an oven at the lowest possible temperature, allowing moisture and heat out.
- Store the dried flowers in airtight containers for consumption.
FAQ about growing a chamomile lawn
Can chamomile grow indoors?
Chamomile can grow both indoors and outdoors. For indoor use, choose a pot that’s at least 6 to 7 inches deep, with proper drainage holes. Add soil rich in nutrients and keep the plants exposed to sunlight.
What is overwintering?
The term refers to protecting chamomile from the harsh effects of winter. At the end of fall, move potted chamomile plants indoors to protect them from frigid temperatures, which they won’t survive. Roman chamomile, being a sturdier perennial, can be kept outdoors as long as it’s covered.
Is it safe to consume chamomile during pregnancy?
Avoid consuming chamomile during pregnancy, as it can cause uterus stimulation, circulation problems in the fetus, and in the worst case, miscarriage.
FAQ about growing a chamomile lawn
Don’t be intimidated by the thought of growing your own chamomile lawn; the benefits will far outweigh the risks. If you’re at a loss and just starting out, a local lawn care pro can provide helpful tips and tricks for a successful DIY project you’ll actually enjoy.
Main Image Credit: Unsplash
