Chamomile has been a staple in our garden all the way back to the years of growing everything in pots and containers on our apartment patio. The dainty, white, daisy-like blooms are not only pretty to look at but can also create a calming nighttime tea. In addition to ways we humans benefit from chamomile; plants and insects can obtain several benefits too. Chamomile companion plants benefit from chamomile’s ability to attract beneficial pollinators and its anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties.

Here are a few of the best chamomile companion plants:

Annuals

• Flowers:
  • Zinnias
  • Snapdragons
  • Petunias
• Vegetables:
  • Tomatoes
  • Potatoes
  • Onions
  • Cucumbers
  • Celery
  • Brassicas
    • Broccoli
    • Cauliflower
    • Cabbage
    • Kale
  • Basil (well technically an herb)

Perennials

• Bee balm
• Phlox
• Black-eyed Susan
• Astilbe
• Delphiniums
• Roses
• Lilacs
• Lavender

What is NOT a good chamomile companion plant?

Well the verdict is  still out on this one but many recommend to avoid planting mint and fennel with chamomile. Mint tends to be quite invasive when not grown in pots. So the fear of choking out the dainty little chamomile may be enough for some to avoid planting much of anything near mint. Additionally, chamomile has the ability to impact the oil production of mint plants; which can ultimately impact the flavor of the mint.

What types of chamomile are best?

There are two common types of chamomile, Roman and German. Roman chamomile is a perennial that doesn’t tend to grow much taller than about 10-12 inches.  It may not be as showy as it’s counterpart but there is something to be said about a plant that comes back each year. Roman chamomile may be a good choice to put around the perennial chamomile companion plants listed above. German chamomile is an annual grows a bit taller, about 2-3 feet. German chamomile is what I find easiest to plug in next to my annual flowers and vegetables each year.

Does chamomile spread?

Yes – Before you start planting chamomile around everything listed above, keep one thing in mind: German chamomile is a great self-seeder and Roman chamomile spreads via rhizomes. This means that it will be quite easy for chamomile to comes back in following years, so just be mindful when planting. However, there is no need to worry too much. Chamomile has a fairly shallow root system so if it ever pops up somewhere you don’t want it to or starts to take over a bit, you can simply give it a tug to remove.

Chamomile tea for my plants?

You heard that right! An easy way to help prevent your seedlings from “damping off” is to spray them with chamomile tea. Damping off is unfortunately pretty common and tends to be the main cause for the sudden death of a seedling. It is caused by fungi that likes growing in cold and wet conditions.  Chamomile tea can be made by steeping chamomile flowers in water for  about 2 days. From there, strain off the flowers and put into a spray bottle. By spraying your seedlings you help them avoid the growth of fungi due to the anti-fungal properties of chamomile.

What do I do with all this chamomile?

After seeing all the chamomile companion plants and how versatile this plant can be; you may find yourself with quite a bit as the season goes on. One of my favorite ways to use it is to make a tea for myself. You’ll want about 2 teaspoons of fresh chamomile flowers for each cup of tea, or about one teaspoon if you’re using dried chamomile flowers. My favorite way to drink chamomile tea is right before bed, due to its calming properties. I have also heard many people like to drink chamomile tea when they have a cold for it’s anti bacterial properties and soothing effects. The tea has a mild flavor on it’s own so if you are looking for something with a little more taste, try adding a couple mint leaves or a drop of honey.

Where can I find chamomile seeds?

Chamomile seeds are quite common and can be found in many places. Check our your local nursery or try some online seed companies like: Baker’s Creek, Botanical Interests and Johnny’s Seeds.

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