{"id":1786,"date":"2014-08-06T11:20:37","date_gmt":"2014-08-06T15:20:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/growagoodlife.com\/?p=1786"},"modified":"2023-12-03T14:16:51","modified_gmt":"2023-12-03T18:16:51","slug":"growing-chamomile-for-tea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/growagoodlife.com\/growing-chamomile-for-tea\/","title":{"rendered":"Growing Chamomile for Tea"},"content":{"rendered":"

Growing chamomile for tea is easier than you think. Once the plants are established, it is drought tolerant and trouble free.<\/p>\n

\"Growing
\nThere is something so comforting to taking a break during the busy day and enjoying a cup of chamomile tea.\u00a0I like to add a drop of local honey to sweeten it just a bit. Then I take a deep lingering breath over the cup as the tea steeps and cools down enough to drink.<\/p>\n

Chamomile is a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae) and is best known for its soothing and calming properties and its fruity, apple-like flavor. Chamomile is documented through Egyptian, Roman, and Greek history as one of the most ancient medicinal herbs. Chamomile’s reputation as a remedy for relieving anxiety was confirmed in a 2009 study (Source<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Today, chamomile is commonly used for many ailments including hay fever, menstrual disorders, inflammation, insomnia, muscle spasms, gastrointestinal disorders, and rheumatic pain.\u00a0It can be applied to the skin for inflammations and skin diseases.<\/p>\n

\"Growing<\/p>\n

Two most popular types of chamomile are German Chamomile<\/a> (Matricaria recutita), an annual that can grow up to 2-feet high; and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), a perennial that grows 12-inches high. Both contain essential oils and anti-oxidants that are calming and relaxing. Once I learned how easy it is to grow chamomile from seed, I have been growing chamomile for tea ever since.<\/p>\n

Growing Chamomile from Seed to Tea<\/h2>\n

German chamomile grows best in a sunny location in the garden but can tolerate some shade. It can grow in containers but may become top heavy, so larger containers are recommended.<\/p>\n

Once established, chamomile is pretty drought tolerant and trouble free. It isn’t a heavy feeder so will not need additional fertilizer through the growing season unless your soil is poor.<\/p>\n\n

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1. Sow Seeds Indoors Under Lights<\/h3>\n

Start German chamomile from seed indoors about 6 weeks before your last expected frost date. Sow seeds by scattering a small pinch of the tiny seeds on the soil surface, mist with water, and tamp lightly.<\/p>\n

Chamomile seeds need light to germinate, so do not cover the seed with soil before misting with a spray bottle to water.<\/p>\n