Herbs > Chamomile (Lawn) Herb

Information on, uses of and how to grow chamomile (lawn):

Name
Chamaemelum nobile.

Family
Compositae.

History
Popular since early Egyptian times. A strewing herb used historically in Arabia for its essential oils.

Growing pattern
Perennial.

Seeds
Buy Chamomile Seeds from The Green Chronicle (Pay in $US, £, Euro).
Herbs, Seasonings, Seeds and Spices - Buy Chamomile Flowers from Mountain Rose Herbs ($US).

How to grow
Grow from seed. Start in seed boxes and plant the seedlings out 4 inches apart. When they start to grow cut them back to 15cm to encourage growth. As a lawn chamomile seldom needs cutting and is beautifully fragrant.

Soil condition/position
Plant in fertile, well-drained, light soil 45cm apart for ordinary plants and 15cm apart if you are making a lawn. Needs watering well in dry periods.

Appearance
Delicate, low growing, ferny leaved plant.

Uses
Used for many years to make scented lawns. The essential oils will revive cut flowers.

See also Chamomile Dyers and Chamomile Matricaria

If you have a question about Chamomile and Chamomile Lawns, have a look at our reader's question page on Chamomile Lawns.