Just about everyone has heard of Chamomile herbs. It makes a very popular, relaxing, and tasty herbal tea. Chamomile plants are native to Europe. Early settlers to America brought it to the New World and were growing Chamomile shortly after their arrival. after all, early pilgrims and settlers needed something to relax them, after a hard day of colonizing and settling this great country.
In addition to soothing tea, Chamomile is a pretty flower in the herb garden or flower bed. Sweet smelling, daisy-like flowers, sit atop thin stalks and leaves. The plant has leaves that are slightly bitter tasting. The plants grow from 12 to 30 inches, depending upon variety.
If you are limited in space and really want homemade tea, try growing Chamomile in containers on your patio or deck. You can also grow them indoors as houseplants.
Flower Color: White petals with a bright yellow center.
Plant height: 8 to 30 inches tall.
Hardiness Zones: 2 – 9
Perennial
Medicinal Uses:
Grind Chamomile leaves and mix them with a little water into a paste to treat toothaches.
It is used to treat stomach aches and in tonics.
Also, it is also believed to improve the immune system. It may help to ward off colds and other ailments.
Culinary Uses:
Use flowers to make an old-fashioned tea. Add chamomile to other kinds of tea to make a refreshing blend. Serve Chamomile tea hot, chilled, or in punch.
Other Uses:
Chamomile is used in homemade hair rinses. It is also an ingredient in cosmetics.
Chamomile herb plants are grown from seed. Sow the seeds into your garden in the spring.
Also, you can start them indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in your area.
Chamomile plants can also be propagated from cuttings. See How to Root Plants from Cuttings.
Final Plant Spacing: Space seedlings, or thin plants 15 to 18 inches apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.
Days to Germination: 7 – 14 days.
Chamomile plants are easy to grow. They thrive in full sun. They prefer average to rich soils. Regular application of fertilizer will help this plant to grow to it’s maximum height. Provide sufficient water during the growing season, to keep the soil moist.
Harvest flowers when they reach peak bloom. They can be used fresh, or dried. Spread flowers out to dry in a cool and ventilated area.
Ideal pH: 5.6 – 7.5
©1999-2024 GardenersNet.Com, All Rights Reserved