Natural Relief for Stress, Sleep & Digestion: How to Grow and Use Chamomile at Home

A cup of homegrown chamomile tea is a gift for your mind and body. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla or Chamaemelum nobile) is a timeless favorite in home gardens, cherished for its delicate blossoms and calming properties. Easy to grow and quick to reward, chamomile flowers can be used fresh or dried for teas, tinctures, and gentle home remedies. In this guide, discover how to plant, care for, harvest, and use chamomile from garden to cup.

How to Grow Chamomile: Step-by-Step

Chamomile is one of the most charming and useful herbs you can grow—beloved for its calming tea, delicate daisy-like flowers, and gentle ability to support both people and plants. Easy to cultivate and low-maintenance once established, chamomile thrives in home gardens, containers, or along sunny borders. Here’s how to grow your own patch of this soothing herb from seed to bloom.

Choosing Varieties

• German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): A fast-growing annual that produces abundant flowers ideal for tea and remedies.
• Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile): A fragrant perennial groundcover that spreads easily and returns each year with delicate, apple-scented blooms.

Soil & Site

Plant chamomile in light, well-drained soil enriched with compost or organic matter. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade, especially in hot climates. Overly rich soil can lead to tall, floppy plants, so avoid heavy fertilization.

Planting

Sow seeds on the soil surface in early spring—chamomile seeds need light to germinate, so don’t cover them deeply. Gently press them into the soil and keep the area evenly moist until seedlings appear in 7–14 days. Once they grow a few inches tall, thin seedlings to 6–12 inches apart to allow airflow and healthy growth.

Care

Water young plants regularly until established, then reduce frequency—mature chamomile is drought-tolerant and prefers slightly dry conditions. Fertilize sparingly; too much nitrogen can make plants leggy and reduce flower production. Deadhead faded blooms to encourage ongoing flowering throughout the summer.

Garden Tip

Chamomile not only soothes the body but also the garden—it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, while its aromatic oils help repel pests. Plant it near vegetables or herbs such as mint, basil, or cabbage to create a balanced, healthy garden ecosystem.

Quick Tip: Harvest flowers early in the morning once they’re fully open for the highest concentration of essential oils and a sweeter, more fragrant tea.

When and How to Harvest Chamomile

Chamomile is best harvested at its aromatic peak—when the blossoms are open, golden-centered, and fragrant. Timing and gentle handling are key to preserving the essential oils and delicate compounds that make chamomile such a soothing herb for teas and remedies.

Harvest Time

Pick fully open flowers in the late morning, after the dew has dried but before the heat of the afternoon sun. This is when the blossoms contain their highest concentration of volatile oils, giving you the best flavor and therapeutic benefits. Avoid harvesting wet flowers, as moisture can cause mold during drying.

How to Harvest

Pinch or snip the flower heads just below the base of the bloom using your fingers or small scissors. Leave the stems intact to encourage more buds to form—chamomile is a generous bloomer and will keep producing flowers all season when picked regularly.

Drying

Spread the harvested flowers in a single layer on a screen, mesh rack, or paper towel in a dark, cool, well-ventilated space. Allow them to dry completely for 5–7 days, gently stirring occasionally for even airflow. You’ll know they’re ready when the centers feel crisp and the petals crumble easily.

Storage

Once fully dry, store chamomile flowers in airtight glass jars or tins, away from sunlight, heat, and humidity. Properly dried chamomile retains its gentle apple-like scent and golden color for up to a year.

Quick Tip: For the freshest flavor and most relaxing aroma, crush dried flowers lightly just before brewing tea. Combine with mint or lemon balm for a calming evening blend.

Soothing Chamomile Recipes and Remedies

Chamomile is a time-honored herb for calm, comfort, and gentle healing. Whether brewed into tea, infused as a tincture, or used in self-care rituals, its delicate floral aroma and therapeutic compounds help ease tension, support sleep, and soothe the skin. Here are simple, effective ways to enjoy chamomile at home.

Chamomile Tea

Ingredients:
1–2 tsp dried chamomile flowers (or 1 tbsp fresh)
1 cup hot water

Directions:
Steep the flowers in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Strain, inhale the soothing aroma, and sip slowly. Chamomile tea is ideal for stress relief, restful sleep, and digestive comfort—especially after meals or before bed. Add a touch of honey or a slice of lemon for flavor and added wellness benefits.

Chamomile Tincture

Ingredients:
Fresh or dried chamomile flowers
High-proof alcohol (like vodka or brandy)

Directions:
Fill a glass jar halfway with chamomile flowers and cover completely with alcohol. Seal tightly and store in a cool, dark place for 2–4 weeks, shaking gently each day. Strain through cheesecloth and bottle the golden liquid in dark dropper bottles. Take 1 dropperful before bed or during moments of stress to promote calm and ease anxiety.

Other Soothing Uses for Chamomile

Chamomile isn’t just for tea—it’s a versatile herb that nurtures both body and mind through simple, comforting rituals. Its natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and calming properties make it a perfect addition to everyday wellness routines, from skincare to relaxation practices.

Skin Bath

Add a handful of chamomile flowers or a few cups of strong chamomile tea to warm bathwater for full-body relaxation and skin-soothing benefits. The gentle floral steam calms the senses while helping to relieve dryness, itchiness, or irritation.

Eye Compress

Soak a clean cloth in cooled, strained chamomile tea and apply gently to tired, puffy, or irritated eyes. This natural compress reduces inflammation, eases eye strain, and refreshes the delicate skin around the eyes.

Sleep Sachets

Blend dried chamomile with lavender and hops in a small fabric pouch. Tuck it under your pillow or beside your bed to enjoy a subtle, floral aroma that promotes deep relaxation and restful sleep.

Calming Balms

Infuse chamomile flowers in carrier oils like jojoba or sweet almond for 2–3 weeks, then strain and use the golden oil as a base for homemade salves or moisturizers. This gentle infusion helps calm redness, dryness, and irritation, leaving skin soft and nourished.

Quick Tip: Combine chamomile with lemon balm, lavender, or peppermint for an elevated herbal blend that supports calm digestion, relaxation, and deep restorative rest—a perfect evening ritual for both mind and body.