edenhana

Chamomile

A low, apple-scented annual herb grown mainly for its small daisy-like flowers, which are picked and dried for tea. Undemanding once established and self-seeds freely, so a patch often maintains itself from year to year without needing to be resown. Best in free-draining soil, as it dislikes sitting wet.

Sun
full sun
Water
low
Spacing
20cm
Harvest
Ready in 60-75 days
Difficulty
beginner
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Expected yield
Continuous flower picking through summer
Cost to grow
~$3 NZD
Grocery value
~$10 NZD
Companion plants
Cabbage family, Onions
Common diseases
Powdery mildew
Common pests
Aphids

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: September-October. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: September-November. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: October-November.

Growing stages

  1. SowingDirect sow or transplant seedlings, spring

    • Surface-sow seed and press in lightly rather than burying it, as chamomile seed needs light to germinate
    • Choose free-draining soil, since it dislikes sitting wet
    • Thin or space plants around 20cm apart

  2. Establishment

    • Water regularly while seedlings establish, then reduce watering as the low, spreading plants need little once settled
    • Watch for aphids on soft new growth
    • Powdery mildew can appear in humid, still conditions with poor airflow

  3. Flowering & harvest60-75 days from sowing

    • Pick small daisy-like flowers as they open, just as the white petals start to reflex back from the yellow centre
    • Regular picking encourages more flowers over a longer season
    • Dry picked flowers promptly out of direct sun to preserve flavour for tea

  4. Self-seeding

    • Leave some late flowers to set seed if a self-sustaining patch is the goal
    • Self-sown seedlings often appear the following spring without needing to resow
    • Thin volunteer seedlings if they come up too thickly

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