Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
[kam-ah-MEL-um NO-bih-lay]

Deciduous Perennial Low-Growing, Mat-Forming, Spreading in the Asteraceae Family
A low, mat-forming perennial herb with finely divided, apple-scented foliage and daisy-like white flowers -- the classic chamomile of herbal tea, lawns, and cottage gardens.

Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile) is a low, mat-forming, trailing perennial herb, typically reaching only 3-6 inches tall with a spread of about 12-15 inches. Its finely divided, feathery foliage has a distinctive apple-like fragrance, especially when brushed or crushed.

From summer into fall, it produces small, daisy-like flowers with white rays and yellow centers, held just above the foliage mat. It spreads by creeping stems that root as they go, and can be grown as a lawn substitute or mowed walkway groundcover, or allowed to flower freely in an herb or cottage garden.

Pros

  • Apple-scented, finely textured foliage
  • Tolerates light foot traffic as a lawn substitute
  • Attracts pollinators when allowed to flower
  • Easy, low-maintenance groundcover once established

Cons

  • Can spread aggressively in ideal conditions
  • Only tolerates minimal foot traffic, not a true lawn replacement for heavy use
  • As an Asteraceae family member, can trigger allergic skin reactions in sensitive individuals
Why Like

Native to western Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Mediterranean, Roman chamomile has grown wild in meadows, sunny banks, and coastal turf for centuries -- prized long before cultivation for its gentle, apple-scented foliage and its long history as an herbal tea and skin-soothing remedy.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 6 inches tall. 6 - 15 inches wide.
Growth Rate Fast
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 4a - 9b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Edging, Edible Foliage, Fast Growth Rate, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Rock Garden, Groundcover, Herb, Low Maintenance, Medium, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Potentially Allergenic, Repel Unwanted Pests
Bloom Period June to September
Flower Color White Rays With Yellow Centers
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Gardening Know How recommends chamomile as a companion for plants prone to fungal problems, citing its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties: good partners include roses, lilacs, and dogwood, as well as vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes. It's also traditionally planted near apple and other fruit trees, said to improve their growth, and tucked into herb gardens alongside mint and basil to improve their flavor and scent.
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Pricing and Availability History

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!