Growing chamomile indoors can be a rewarding experience, especially for backyard gardeners who appreciate fresh, aromatic herbs at their fingertips. If you want to grow chamomile indoors, you’ll enjoy having access to fresh flowers year-round that are perfect for calming teas and natural remedies. This guide will help beginners understand how to start, care for, and harvest chamomile inside their home with ease and confidence.
What Is Chamomile and Why Grow Chamomile Indoors?
Chamomile is a gentle herb known for its small white petals and yellow centers. The two main varieties are German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), an annual, and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), a perennial. Both varieties are prized for their soothing qualities and health benefits.
Many gardeners choose to grow chamomile indoors because it allows year-round cultivation without the risk of outdoor pests, frost, or harsh weather. Indoors, you can control light, temperature, and humidity — creating the perfect environment for chamomile to thrive regardless of the season.
Choosing the Right Chamomile Variety to Grow Indoors
To successfully grow chamomile indoors, selecting the right variety is essential. German chamomile is the most popular choice for indoor growing because it grows quickly and produces abundant flowers ideal for tea. As an annual, it completes its life cycle within one growing season, so you’ll need to replant it yearly.
Roman chamomile is a perennial and grows low to the ground with a creeping habit, making it ideal for container gardens indoors. It can live for several years with proper care.
For beginners, German chamomile is generally easier to start from seed and faster to harvest, making it the preferred variety to grow chamomile indoors.
How to Start Chamomile Seeds Indoors: Step-by-Step
If you want to grow chamomile indoors from seed, follow these simple steps for best results:
- Choose a Container: Select shallow pots or seed trays with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
- Use Quality Soil: Fill containers with a light, well-draining potting mix combined with perlite or vermiculite.
- Sow Seeds Lightly: Chamomile seeds are tiny and need light to germinate, so scatter seeds on the soil surface and press gently without covering them too deeply.
- Water Carefully: Mist the soil to keep it moist but avoid soaking. Use a spray bottle for gentle watering.
- Provide Adequate Light: Place containers in a sunny window or under grow lights that provide 12–16 hours of light daily.
- Maintain Warmth: Keep soil temperatures between 65°F and 70°F (18°C–21°C) to encourage germination, which usually takes 7–14 days.
By following these steps, you’ll give your chamomile seeds the best chance to sprout and grow indoors.
Ideal Conditions to Grow Chamomile Indoors Successfully
Chamomile thrives under moderate indoor conditions, and creating the right environment is key to a healthy plant:
- Light: To grow chamomile indoors successfully, ensure your plants get at least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A south-facing window is ideal, but supplemental grow lights can help if natural light is limited.
- Temperature: Maintain a comfortable indoor temperature between 60°F and 68°F (15°C to 20°C). Avoid hot or drafty areas that stress the plant.
- Humidity and Airflow: Chamomile prefers average household humidity (40–60%). Good air circulation reduces risks of fungal diseases.
Providing these conditions mimics chamomile’s natural habitat and helps your indoor plants flourish.
Care Tips for Growing Chamomile Indoors
Once your chamomile plants are established, proper care will keep them healthy and blooming:
- Watering: Water your chamomile when the top inch of soil feels dry, keeping the soil moist but never waterlogged. Overwatering can cause root rot.
- Feeding: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once every 4–6 weeks during the growing season. Avoid excess nitrogen to encourage more flowers rather than leaf growth.
- Pruning: Pinch back the tips regularly to promote bushier plants and more blooms.
- Pest Control: Indoor chamomile is less prone to pests but watch for aphids or spider mites. Use organic remedies like neem oil if necessary.
By following these care tips, you’ll create an environment that supports healthy growth and flower production when you grow chamomile indoors.
When and How to Harvest Chamomile Grown Indoors
Knowing the right time and method to harvest your indoor chamomile will maximize its quality:
- Harvest Timing: Pick flowers when they are fully open but before the petals start curling or browning. This stage ensures the best flavor and potency.
- Harvest Method: Use scissors to snip flower heads with a small section of stem.
- Drying: Dry harvested flowers in a warm, airy space for about a week before storing them in airtight containers for tea or crafts.
Regular harvesting encourages continuous blooming, so don’t hesitate to enjoy the fruits of your indoor gardening efforts.
Common Challenges When Growing Chamomile Indoors and Solutions
Even with careful attention, some issues may arise when you grow chamomile indoors:
- Leggy Plants: Often caused by insufficient light. Increasing natural or artificial light will promote sturdier growth.
- Yellowing Leaves: Usually a sign of overwatering or poor drainage. Adjust watering habits and check pot drainage.
- Fewer Flowers: Too much nitrogen fertilizer or low light can reduce flowering. Modify feeding and light exposure.
- Pests: Aphids or spider mites may appear. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil to keep plants healthy.
Awareness of these challenges and their remedies helps you maintain a thriving indoor chamomile garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does chamomile grow well indoors?
Yes, chamomile grows well indoors if provided with enough light, moderate temperatures, and well-draining soil. It thrives near sunny windows or under grow lights. Proper watering and good air circulation also help chamomile flourish inside your home for a healthy, fragrant herb.
Does chamomile grow back after cutting?
Chamomile typically grows back after cutting if you leave enough stem and leaves intact. Regular harvesting encourages bushier growth and more flowers. Avoid cutting too close to the base to allow the plant to regenerate and continue producing blooms for multiple harvests.
What part of the chamomile plant is used for tea?
The flower heads of chamomile are used to make tea. These small, daisy-like flowers are harvested when fully open but before wilting. The dried flower heads contain calming oils and compounds that give chamomile tea its soothing flavor and health benefits.
Does chamomile grow well in pots?
Yes, chamomile grows very well in pots, making it perfect for indoor or patio gardening. Use a well-draining potting mix and containers with drainage holes. Potted chamomile allows better control over soil moisture and placement to ensure proper light exposure.
Does chamomile prefer sun or shade?
Chamomile prefers full sun to partial shade. It grows best with at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can protect it from intense heat, but generally, bright light encourages healthy growth and more flowers.
Why You Should Grow Chamomile Indoors
Growing chamomile indoors offers several benefits for backyard gardeners:
- Enjoy fresh chamomile year-round regardless of outdoor weather or season.
- Control the growing environment to avoid pests and harmful chemicals.
- Use fresh flowers for tea, relaxation, and natural remedies anytime.
- Add a fragrant, beautiful herb to brighten your indoor spaces.
If you want to enjoy these benefits, learning how to grow chamomile indoors is a wonderful skill for any gardening enthusiast.
You Can Also Read:
When to Plant Garlic in Michigan: A Gardener’s Guide for a Bountiful Harvest
How to Grow Garlic in Michigan: A Backyard Gardener’s Guide
What Is Frost Temperature for Plants? A Backyard Gardener’s Guide
Will One Night of Frost Kill My Plants? A Backyard Gardener’s Guide
How Do You Make Chamomile Tea from the Plant? A Backyard Gardener’s Guide
References
- Royal Horticultural Society. (2023). Growing Chamomile. RHS Gardening. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/chamomile/growing-guide
- University of Minnesota Extension. (2022). Herbs for Indoor Gardening. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/herbs-indoor-gardening
- Missouri Botanical Garden. (2024). Matricaria chamomilla (German Chamomile). https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b370
- Penn State Extension. (2020). Growing Chamomile Indoors. https://extension.psu.edu/growing-chamomile-indoors
