Roman, Chamomile Seeds

Roman Chamomile Seed

Fragrant perennial chamomile doubles as a walkable groundcover
Creeping rhizomes create a low spreading mat
Fruity flowers taste milder and less bitter
Tolerates occasional light foot traffic after establishment

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Chamaemelum nobile

Days to maturity

65 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

500 Seeds

Zones 4–9 Check your growing zone

About Roman, Chamomile Seed, Chamomile Seed

This aromatic heirloom herb can be grown as a perennial ground cover and tolerates light foot traffic once established. It forms a low, spreading mat through creeping rhizomes, making it well suited for paths and garden edges. While it produces fewer blooms than annual chamomile types, it shares many of the same traditional culinary, tea, and medicinal uses. The flavor and aroma are notably fruity and milder, with less bitterness than German chamomile. Grown as an annual ornamental in many regions, it performs best in bright, sunny locations and well-drained soil.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

Top of Soil

Days to Germination

10–14 days

Germination Type

D - Surface Sow

In-row plant spacing

8-12"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Perennial

Hardiness Zone

Zones 4-9

Plant Height

18 inches

Growth Habits

Spreading

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

190,000

Color

White, Yellow

Seed Type

Heirloom

Growing Season

Cool-Season Crop

Before Planting

A successful Chamomile planting begins with a full-sun to lightly shaded site with fertile, well-drained soil that retains moderate moisture. Work compost into the bed and prepare a fine, weed-free surface for the usually small seed. Plan convenient irrigation, and use containers or barriers before planting if chamomile may spread aggressively.

Planting

Sow chamomile indoors several weeks before the last frost or direct sow when the crop’s preferred soil temperature is reached. Maintain even surface moisture through germination, especially for fine or slow seed. Give indoor seedlings strong light, harden them before transplanting, and thin direct-sown plants after true leaves appear. Repeat sowings where young leaves are harvested continuously.

Watering

Chamomile grows best with even moisture. Water deeply during dry periods, allowing only slight surface drying between applications, and ensure containers or beds drain freely.

Fertilizer

Chamomile benefits from moderate feeding when repeatedly harvested. Apply diluted balanced fertilizer or compost between cuttings, following label rates and avoiding soluble-salt buildup.

Harvesting

Clip chamomile during the cool morning when foliage is dry and aromatic oils are concentrated. Harvest leaves before full bloom, leaving enough healthy growth for the plant to recover.

Tips

Grow extra chamomile plants for succession harvests and pinch stems above leaf nodes. Allow a few flowers for pollinators or seed, but remove the rest to preserve leaf quality.

Pests & Diseases

Chamomile may develop powdery mildew, Botrytis, damping-off, or fungal leaf spots, especially when self-sown plants become crowded. Harvest flowers frequently and remove declining stems instead of letting humid debris accumulate. Use clean propagation media, thin seedlings early, and discard moldy flower heads rather than drying them for tea.

Monitor chamomile for aphids, mites, whiteflies, leafminers, and slugs. Remove badly infested stems, maintain weed control, and select treatments labeled for edible herbs when intervention is necessary.