Chamaemelum

( kam - ay - MEL - um )

At-A-Glance Information

Referred to as Chamomiles or Dogfennels, members of this genus are perennial herbs that are relatively low-growing; most plants don't exceed a foot and a half at maturity. Flowers produced by these plants have white rays around yellow centers that protrude in some species. Most are native to Europe, but have naturalized and established large populations in many areas of the world. These versatile plants are wonderful as lawn replacements, as borders or edgings, as filler in between stepping stones, or as additions to mixed beds or containers. Chamomile is a great companion plant for many crops, as well.

Chamaemelum species and varietals

The genus Chamaemelum is a member of the plant family Asteraceae, and includes just two species. Chamomile plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 2-24 (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map).

Chamaemelum fuscatum (Dusky Dogfennel, Dark Chamomile)
This annual herbaceous plant is native to Europe, though it has naturalized populations and is thriving in California, as well. These plants are generally found in disturbed soils and produce flowers in March and April. Dark Chamomile reaches about 14 inches tall at maturity. Flowers are white and daisy-form, and have dark brown to reddish stems and green leaves.

Chamaemelum nobile (Anthemis nobilis) (Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, English Chamomile, Garden Chamomile, Ground Apple, Low Chamomile, Mother's Daisy, Whig Plant, Barnyard Daisy)
This perennial flowering plant requires full sun or partial shade and moderate water. This spreading groundcover plant which gets to 3-12 inches tall. It has aromatic green leaves and blooms in summertime. Blossoms mimic daisies and can be made into tea, though the plant Matricaria recutita is more commonly used for this purpose. Great as a lawn substitute or for plantings between step stones, and can serve as a groundcover plant, as well. Popular varieties include 'Treneague' (a nonflowering variety that does not need to be mowed), and 'Flore Pleno' (with double flowers).

Caring for chamaemelum

Chamomile plants should be situated in direct sun or partial shade. They will flower best when in full sun, though in warmer climates a bit of afternoon shade protects them from sunburn and drying out. Chamomile pairs well with Onions, Carrots, Leeks, Beets, Kohlrabi, Strawberries, Brassicas, Dill, Lettuce, and Tomatoes. Planting Chamomile with Summer Savory can improve the flavor of onions. They can also be used as a lawn substitute; the best plant spacing in this situation is one foot apart. Soil should be well-draining and rich in organic matter with a pH of between 5.6 and 7.5. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Water newly planted Chamomile regularly to help it develop a strong root system. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone with some supplemental waterings in the warmest months of the year.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Chamomile plants is simple: remove spent blooms and any unsightly foliage. These plants bounce back well from pruning. Late in the season, plants can have a tendency to get leggy, especially if they are grown in too much shade. Plants can be cut down to about four inches tall at this point, and a flush of new growth and flowering will be triggered. Chamomile plants can be annual or perennial, depending on the species grown as well as the climate they are cultivated in. Annual species are pulled and composted at the end of the growing season, and perennial species can survive for up to 5 years (if cared for properly) before needing to be replaced.

Harvesting Chamomile
Fully opened flowers are the ideal blooms to harvest for use in teas. Pull off flowers with one hand while holding the stem directly underneath to avoid damaging the plants. Stems can be left on the plant to encourage new buds to form. Flowers can be steeped fresh or dried. To dry the flowers, lay them on a tray and place the tray in a dry spot for between a week and a week and a half. Once they have completely dried out, they can be stored in an airtight container or be frozen for later use.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Chamaemelum can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Chamomile, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Chamaemelum by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Chamaemelum by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.