German camomile (Matricaria recutita) is the flowering herb used to make the popular camomile tea. It’s a plant that is easy to grow in the home garden and the flowers resemble daisies.
You can add colorful beauty to your garden and delicious, health-benefiting tea to your cup of tea by growing camomile too.
Let’s do it!
Planting Location
Camomile prefers a location that is in full sun but the herb plant will tolerate partial shade. In climates with hot, dry summer weather, plant camomile in a location where it will be shaded from the afternoon sun.
Soil Requirements
This herb is not picky about soil and will grow almost anywhere, except in soggy soil or overly fertilized soil.
Well-draining soil that remains a little on the dry side is best for growing camomile. The herb plant is drought-tolerant and can withstand high air temperatures too.
Sow Seeds
Seeds can be started indoors 6-weeks before the last predicted frost day for your climate. Transplant seedlings after all danger of frost has passed.
After the last spring frost, camomile seeds can be scattered on the ground and lightly pressed into soil for quick and easy germination. Sow seeds and forget until you notice flowers.
Camomile is a self-seeding annual, so after the first seed planting, the herb will reseed itself and return every year. Technically, it could be considered a perennial like Roman Camomile!
Do Not Feed
Camomile grows quickly and should not be fertilized. Some consider the flowering herb plant to be invasive, but it can be controlled by removing flower heads before they go to seed.
Harvest For Tea
Harvest flowers as soon as they bloom, but wait until mid-morning or later so the dew has evaporated. Turn flowers upside and shake to remove any bugs.
Dry the flower heads in a dehydrator or place them in a single layer on a drying rack for 3-4 days until dry. Store flower heads whole in an airtight container. Be careful not to crush or break flowers while handling as this will release their flavor. Wait until it’s time for a cup of camomile tea before breaking the flower heads.
Steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried flowers in hot water for 5 minutes when ready to drink.
I love the fresh aroma of camomile flowers when making the tea.
Health Benefits
Camomile tea has been used for centuries as a herbal treatment for many conditions and the flavorful tea contains many health benefits. Drink a cup (or two) daily for these amazing health benefits.
- Promote better sleep when you drink a cup before bedtime.
- Strengthens immune system.
- Alleviates cold symptoms.
- Reduces muscle cramps.
- Soothes an upset stomach.
- Camomile tea contains an anti-inflammatory that is good for internal and external use.
- Relieves stress.
- Stops dandruff.
- Reduces signs of aging.
*Do not take these health benefits as professional health advice. Please seek advice from a certified physician first if you have these issues.
Here is another healthy tea related article, How To Make Roasted Dandelion Tea From Your Garden.
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