Enjoying a warm mug of tea on a crisp winter night can gently calm the mind and help you drift into a peaceful sleep. German chamomile is a common ingredient in these tea mixes, providing a soothing and calming effect. This culinary herb also received the prized award of “2025 Herb of the Year.”
To receive this honor from the International Herb Association, the plant must be found outstanding for its decorative, culinary or medical use. Chamomile, native to Europe and Asia, is grown as a cool-season herb or ornamental annual plant in many gardens in Illinois.
Small, daisy-like white flowers with yellow centers are scattered among delightfully fragrant foliage, reaching 2 feet tall. It reliably blooms from midsummer through fall, attracting a wide array of pollinating insects. The finely divided leaves give the plant a miniature fern-like appearance.
German chamomile grows best in full to part sun and well-drained soils; the shallow root system may rot in wet soils. Besides some decline in hot temperatures, it is low maintenance as well, requiring little supplemental fertilization and presenting few problems with pests.
Chamomile plants can be started easily from seed by either directly sowing in the garden when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit or starting them indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost for later transplantation.
These tiny seeds need light to germinate. After scattering seeds on the soil, gently press seeds into the soil instead of covering them with additional soil. Seeds should germinate within seven to 10 days. Transplant the seedlings outdoors when they are small (less than 2 inches tall), as larger plants do not transplant well.
German chamomile is self-seeding in the garden. To prevent seedlings from appearing next year, deadhead any spent flowers to stop the mature seeds from scattering below the plant. Its close relative, wild chamomile or pineappleweed, is a commonly found weed in gardens and along roadsides. It features edible flowers and emits a pineapple scent when crushed.
One easy way to distinguish pineappleweed from chamomile is that pineappleweed lacks the white “petals” or ray flowers. Another plant often referred to as chamomile is Roman chamomile, a low-growing perennial. This plant is occasionally used in teas, but it has a more bitter taste.
Its shorter growth habit makes this plant a perfect addition to the front border of a landscape, near a garden walkway or tucked into small crevices in a rock garden. Its fruity fragrance can also be enjoyed near a patio or sitting area. Besides beauty in the garden, chamomile has many other uses. The dried flowers can be used in teas, potpourris, dyes and crafts. Flowers should be harvested at full bloom by cutting off just the flower head from the stem. Teas are made by steeping dried flowers.
In the language of flowers, a cultural trend to convey messages and emotions in the Victorian era, chamomile symbolized joy, happiness and peace, making these perfect gifts when offering well wishes to a loved one. Whether gifted to friends or kept at home, the small, daisy-like flower adds a touch of delicacy and color to cut floral arrangements.
Consider incorporating past International Herb Association Plants of the Year into your herb garden or landscape, like yarrow, ginger, violas, parsley, anise hyssop, coriander/cilantro and savory. By choosing a few of these top performers, you can create a garden that excels in both beauty and dependability.
