The chamomile plant is a collective term that describes a group of flowering plants that belong to the composite family, known as “Asteraceae”.
Although the plant exists in a variety of species, the two most popular ones are the Roman (perennial) and German chamomile (annual), which are known scientifically as “Anthemis nobilis” and “Matricaria recutita” respectively.
The plants are pronounced [AN-them-is NO-bil-iss] and [mat-ri-KAR-ee-uh re-KOO-tee-ta].
Yet, they have a wide range of common names, including:
- English chamomile (Roman)
- Hungarian Kamilla (German)
- Scented mayweed (German)
- Garden chamomile (Roman)
- Wild chamomile (German)
- Blue chamomile (German)
- Low chamomile (Roman)
- Mother’s daisy (Roman)
- Whig plant (Roman)
Originally, both plants were native to Europe, especially the southern and eastern regions.
However, they could also be found in some parts of Asia and North Africa. Today, you can find plants all over the globe.
Let’s have a quick chamomile plant care guide.
Roman Or German Chamomile Flowers Care
Size And Growth
Roman chamomile is typically larger in size than German chamomile.
The roman chamomile usually grows to about 3” to 6” inches, while its German counterpart grows to about 1” to 2” inches only, which is one of the easiest ways to distinguish between them.
Both chamomiles are pretty easy to grow, although german is believed by many to be the easier of the two.
Flowering And Fragrance
Although German and Roman chamomile are not from the same species, they are quite similar in terms of various properties because they belong to the same family.
For instance, both plants have a small and vibrantly white flower that looks like a tiny daisy with a bright yellow center.
Not only that, both of them have a similar apple-like scent, which is why they’re both used to make herbal teas as well as a variety of beauty products.
Light And Temperature
Roman chamomile often requires a mild level of shade but can also be grown in full sun without worrying about scorching the leaves.
On the other hand, German chamomile is more adapted to full sun exposure, so it shouldn’t grow in heavily shaded areas.
Both species of chamomile are pretty easy to grow in a wide temperature range because it’s a hardy plant.
They thrive at around 65° degrees Fahrenheit (18.3° degrees Celsius) but can tolerate up to 100° degrees Fahrenheit (37.7° degrees Celsius).
Watering And Feeding
Chamomile in general is a drought-resistant plant, so it’s more likely to drown from overwatering than die from drought.
That’s why you should never water the plant when the soil is still damp, which also prevents various pests and diseases.
Soil And Transplanting
As a hardy plant, both types of chamomile can flower in just about any type of soil.
However, the stems of both plants can be a bit floppy in case of poor mixes, so make sure that you grow and transplant them in organic soil rich with nutrients for maximum quality.
Grooming And Maintenance
Chamomile will spread quickly if it’s left unchecked, so pruning and cutting them back is necessary if you don’t want that to happen.
The ideal way to do it is by using a sharp, clean knife to trim creeping stems.
How To Propagate Roman Or German Chamomile Flowers?
Propagation of Roman chamomile is pretty easy.
To do it, follow these comprehensive steps:
- Divide the chamomile’s rhizomatous roots using a sterile and sharp knife.
- Separate about 3” to 5” inches of the cuttings.
- Take the root cuttings and pot them in a separate indoor mix and let them grow a new plant.
Ideally, this should be done after blooming, so you can do it anywhere from early spring to summer.
As for german chamomile, you can easily start a new plant using its loosely hanging seeds.
Chamomile Flowers Pests Or Diseases
Chamomile is a rather healthy plant and will rarely suffer from bacterial and fungal infections because it has some antibacterial and antifungal properties.
However, powdery mildew is one of the few diseases that chamomile flowers can suffer from, which is more common in the German chamomile than the Roman one.
This one causes the plant to develop white or grey patches, especially when the plant is kept in hot and damp weather for a long time.
In addition to powdery mildew, the plant is also prone to a number of common pests, such as:
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Scales
- Spider mites
Suggested Roman Or German Chamomile Flowers Uses
Of course, chamomile flowers are known for their extensive medicinal uses, as they’re used as carminatives and often added to herbal tea recipes for their relaxing and soothing effect.
The plant is believed and claimed to have a wide range of medicinal benefits, such as:
- Painkiller
- Digestive aid
However, chamomile plants are extremely underrated when it comes to aesthetics as they make excellent garden plants.
In addition to their beauty, they’re also planted in gardens due to their ability to repel some flying insects and pests.