Roman Chamomile

Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Roman Chamomile is a fragrant, low-growing herb prized for its medicinal qualities and versatility in garden designs. Known for its calming properties, this perennial herb is a favorite for tea gardens, herbal medicine, and permaculture systems. With its daisy-like flowers and feathery foliage, Roman Chamomile is both attractive and functional, serving as a ground cover or companion plant in diverse garden settings.

Key Characteristics:

• Medicinal herb with calming properties: Roman Chamomile is traditionally used for its soothing effects on digestion and the nervous system. The dried flowers are steeped in teas to reduce stress, alleviate insomnia, and soothe digestive discomfort. Chamomile is also used in salves to reduce skin inflammation and promote healing.

• Excellent ground cover in permaculture gardens: Roman Chamomile forms a dense, mat-like ground cover that helps suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. It is ideal for use in the herbaceous layer of permaculture designs, especially in fruit tree guilds where it can serve as a living mulch. Chamomile also releases beneficial compounds into the soil, promoting the health of nearby plants.

• Fragrant addition to herb gardens and borders: Its sweet, apple-like scent and dainty flowers add both fragrance and beauty to herbal gardens and cottage-style borders. It’s perfect for pathways or between stepping stones, where its fragrance is released as you walk.

• Attracts beneficial insects: While Roman Chamomile is not a major nectar source, its flowers still attract pollinators like bees and hoverflies, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem. It’s particularly useful in integrated pest management, as it can help draw beneficial insects that control pests naturally.

• Companion plant in vegetable gardens: Roman Chamomile is known for its ability to improve the growth of nearby plants, especially in vegetable gardens. Its presence can enhance essential oil production in neighboring herbs and vegetables, making them more pest-resistant.

Product Details:

• Native Range: Europe and Western Asia
• Plant Life Cycle: Perennial
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, medium moisture
• Mature Height: 4-12 inches
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Bloom Color: White with yellow centers
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Roman Chamomile brings beauty, functionality, and medicinal value to any garden. Whether you use it for tea, as a ground cover, or as a companion plant, it’s an easy and rewarding addition to herb gardens and permaculture landscapes.