Heirloom

Roman Chamomile

Chamaemelum nobile

Low-growing, spreading plant with creeping rhizomes. Has similar uses for teas and medicine as annual chamomile varieties, but produces fewer blossoms.

Harvest

60-65d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

4–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Roman Chamomile in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 herb →

Zone Map

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Roman Chamomile · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained loam, tolerates poor, sandy, or gravelly soils; prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH

WaterModerate; drought-tolerant once established

SeasonPerennial

FlavorDistinctly apple-like and floral with subtle sweetness and hay undertones, milder and more refined than German chamomile

ColorWhite with yellow center

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – April	—	April – December

Complete Growing Guide

Low-growing, spreading plant with creeping rhizomes. Has similar uses for teas and medicine as annual chamomile varieties, but produces fewer blossoms. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Roman Chamomile is 60 - 65 days to maturity, perennial, open pollinated.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Roman Chamomile reaches harvest at 60 - 65 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds.

Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Edibility: Use dried flowers for tea. Drink no more than one cup of tea per day, as it contains thujone, a substance that can be toxic in high doses. Do not use if pregnant.

Storage & Preservation

Store freshly harvested Roman chamomile flowers in a breathable container—paper bags or cloth work best—at 45–55°F with moderate humidity to prevent mold. Used whole within 3–5 days fresh. For longer preservation, drying is ideal: spread blooms on screens in a warm, well-ventilated space (70–75°F) for 5–7 days until papery, then seal in airtight jars away from light. Dried flowers retain quality for 12–18 months. Freezing is less suitable as the delicate petals lose structure, though you can freeze them in ice cubes for tea. Avoid fermentation. Roman chamomile's compact growth habit and prolific flowering means you can harvest repeatedly throughout the season, allowing staggered drying batches. This extends your supply without overwhelming your preservation capacity at once.

History & Origin

Roman Chamomile is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Europe, India and Western Asia

Advantages

+Perennial plant returns yearly without replanting effort
+Spreading growth naturally fills garden spaces and suppresses weeds
+Medicinal tea quality rivals annual chamomile varieties
+Easy cultivation requires minimal care and expertise

Considerations

-Produces significantly fewer blossoms than annual chamomile types
-Creeping rhizomes may spread aggressively in moist conditions
-Lower flower yield reduces tea and medicine production

Companion Plants

Chamomile does real work near brassicas like cabbage and broccoli. NC State Extension's IPM guidance on interplanting makes the case: spreading aromatic plants through a bed dilutes the scent signals that cabbage-family pests use to locate their hosts. Rather than planting chamomile in its own block, tuck it every 2–3 feet through a brassica row and you slow pest spread before it becomes a problem. Onions and carrots nearby add to that mix — diverse plantings interrupt pest movement in ways that single-species rows don't.

Mint is the main plant to keep separated. It spreads by underground runners and will physically crowd out chamomile within a season or two — not through chemical means, just relentless competition for space and root territory. Black walnut is a harder no: the tree produces juglone, a compound that accumulates in the soil and is toxic to a wide range of plants. The affected zone typically extends well beyond the canopy edge, so if there's a black walnut on your property, site chamomile on the opposite side of the garden.

Plant Together

Cabbage

Chamomile improves flavor and growth while repelling cabbage moths and aphids

Onions

Both plants repel pests mutually and chamomile enhances onion growth

Cucumber

Chamomile deters cucumber beetles and improves cucumber health and flavor

Roses

Chamomile repels aphids and black spot, improves rose health and fragrance

Tomatoes

Chamomile repels hornworms and aphids while potentially improving tomato flavor

Broccoli

Chamomile attracts beneficial insects and deters cabbage worms and aphids

Carrots

Chamomile improves soil health and may enhance carrot growth and flavor

Strawberries

Chamomile repels harmful insects and may improve strawberry flavor and yield

Keep Apart

Mint

Both are aggressive spreaders that compete for space and resources

Black Walnut

Juglone toxin from walnut trees inhibits chamomile growth and development

Nutrition Facts

Calories

23kcal(1%)

Protein

3.15g(6%)

Fiber

1.6g(6%)

Carbs

2.65g(1%)

Fat

0.64g(1%)

Vitamin C

18mg(20%)

Vitamin A

264mcg(29%)

Vitamin K

415mcg(346%)

Iron

3.17mg(18%)

Calcium

177mg(14%)

Potassium

295mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, sawfly larvae (generally pest-resistant)

Diseases

Root rot in waterlogged soil, powdery mildew in high humidity (generally disease-resistant)

Troubleshooting Roman Chamomile

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Roots blackened or mushy, plant wilting despite moist soil

Likely Causes

Root rot from waterlogged conditions — chamomile has almost no tolerance for standing water
Poorly draining clay soil or a low spot in the bed

What to Do

1.Dig the plant, trim rotted roots back to healthy tissue, and replant in a raised bed or amended soil with added perlite or coarse grit
2.Stop watering until the top 2 inches of soil are dry — established plants handle drought fine
3.If the spot stays wet after rain, relocate; this plant won't adapt to it

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing in late summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew — a fungal issue that spikes when humidity is high and air circulation is poor
Plants spaced too close together (under 12 inches) or crowded by neighboring plants

What to Do

1.Thin or cut back surrounding plants to open up airflow around the chamomile
2.Clip off heavily coated stems and discard them — don't compost them
3.NC State Extension notes that outdoor herbs with good air circulation and drainage rarely develop severe disease; fixing the conditions matters more than reaching for a spray bottle

Clusters of small soft-bodied insects on new growth or flower buds, stems sometimes sticky

Likely Causes

Aphids — usually green or black, congregating on tender new growth
Sawfly larvae feeding on foliage (look for small caterpillar-like larvae, not winged adults)

What to Do

1.NC State Extension recommends insecticidal soap for severe aphid outbreaks on herbs — spray directly on the insects, repeat every 5–7 days
2.Hand-pick sawfly larvae off the stems; populations are usually small enough to manage this way
3.Natural predators like lady beetles and parasitic wasps typically keep aphid numbers low on herbs grown outdoors with good sun and airflow — give them a chance before intervening

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roman chamomile a perennial or annual?▼

Roman chamomile is a true perennial hardy in USDA zones 3-9, returning each year from its root system. This distinguishes it from German (annual) chamomile, which completes its life cycle in one season. After the first year of establishment, Roman chamomile requires minimal effort, making it ideal for long-term garden plantings. In colder regions (zone 2), treat it as an annual or provide heavy winter protection.

How much does Roman chamomile flower compared to German chamomile?▼

Roman chamomile produces significantly fewer flowers than German chamomile. While German chamomile is bred specifically for abundant flowering, Roman chamomile yields moderate blooms concentrated in mid-to-late summer. This trade-off is offset by its perennial nature—once established, you gain consistent harvests year after year without replanting. For maximum tea production, many gardeners grow both varieties in complementary succession.

Can you grow Roman chamomile in containers or pots?▼

Yes, Roman chamomile thrives in containers, making it ideal for patios, balconies, and small spaces. Use a 12-inch pot with drainage holes and well-draining potting mix. Container-grown plants may dry out faster than in-ground, so monitor soil moisture during hot weather. The plant's compact, spreading growth habit actually suits containers well, and potted specimens are easier to bring indoors or shelter during harsh winters in cold zones.

What does Roman chamomile taste like?▼

Roman chamomile has a distinctly apple-like, slightly sweet flavor with subtle floral notes and a hint of hay or grass undertones. It's milder and more delicate than German chamomile, making it popular for soothing bedtime teas. The flavor is less grassy and more refined than many herbal teas, appealing to those who find chamomile occasionally too herbaceous. Fresh flowers tend to have brighter, more apple-forward notes than dried.

When should I plant Roman chamomile seeds?▼

Start Roman chamomile seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost for spring planting. Direct sow outdoors after frost danger has passed, though seeds are so tiny that indoor starting gives better germination control. You can also sow seeds in late summer (8-10 weeks before first frost) for fall establishment, allowing plants a head start for the following spring. Seeds need light to germinate, so press them lightly onto soil surface rather than burying.

Is Roman chamomile easy to grow for beginners?▼

Yes, Roman chamomile is ideal for beginning gardeners. It's extremely forgiving, tolerating poor soils and inconsistent watering once established. It requires no staking, minimal fertilizing, and few pests bother it. The main requirement is adequate sunlight (4+ hours daily) and patience during year-one establishment. After that, it's one of the most low-maintenance herbs in the garden, making it perfect for building gardening confidence.