Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Roman Chamomile

Chamaemelum nobile

Its daisy-like blooms smell of apple and honey, softening garden edges. Low-growing perennial herb; common name: Roman chamomile.

Full sun
1–2/week
Beginner
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Plant Needs

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Sunlight Full sun to partial shade; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot, arid climates to prevent leaf scorch
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Watering Water deeply when the top 2 cm of soil is dry; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot in heavy soils
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Temperature Hardy to -15°C; tolerates moderate summer heat up to 30°C with adequate moisture
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Characteristics

  • Leaf: Finely dissected, feathery, bright green, aromatic when crushed
  • Flower: Daisy-like composite blooms with white ray florets and yellow disk florets, 2–3 cm diameter
  • Stem: Slender, creeping, rooting at nodes to form dense, low mats
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Care Guide

Watering

Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged

Fertilization

Diluted balanced feed once monthly. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent leggy, sparse growth

Eggshell powder topdress:Sprinkle finely ground, oven-dried eggshells around plant base; mix lightly into topsoil to boost calcium levels and improve soil structure
Pruning
  • Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage prolonged flowering through early summer
  • Trim back leggy stems in mid-summer to maintain a compact, mat-forming habit
  • Remove brown or damaged foliage to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
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Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA confirmed non-toxic to cats; no adverse effects reported

Humans: No known toxicity to humans; safe for culinary and herbal use

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Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: Symbolizes calm and relaxation; used in traditional herbal remedies for sleep support

Usage: Ornamental ground cover, culinary herbal tea ingredient, aromatic garden plant