Chamomile in Zone 7B — Desert Southwest

Chamomile is a fantastic addition to any Desert Southwest garden. Its delicate, apple-like flavor makes soothing teas, and the plant itself attracts beneficial insects. Plus, the satisfaction of harvesting your own homegrown tea ingredients is hard to beat, especially when you've nurtured it through our challenging climate.

Desert gardening presents unique hurdles – extreme heat, alkaline soil, and water scarcity. However, with careful timing and a few tricks, you can absolutely grow chamomile successfully during our long 245-day growing season. You'll have plenty of time to get a harvest before the first frost.

Starting chamomile indoors gives you a head start, but it's not always essential in our climate with two growing seasons. If you want to get a jump on spring, sow seeds indoors from mid January through early February, roughly six weeks before you plan to transplant.

Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist (bottom watering is ideal to prevent damping off) and provide a warm location with plenty of light – a sunny windowsill or grow lights work well. Remember our spring warmth can arrive unexpectedly early, so indoor starts help you prepare.

Transplant your chamomile seedlings outdoors from early to late March. Before planting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This prevents shock from the sudden change in temperature and sunlight.

Space plants 6-8 inches apart in well-draining soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – those early spring temperature swings can be tough on young plants. Have some frost cloth handy just in case.

Direct sowing chamomile is easy and works well in our climate. Sow seeds directly into the garden from early March through early September. This gives you a wide window to take advantage of both our spring and fall growing seasons.

Prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any rocks or debris. Chamomile prefers well-drained soil, so amend with compost if needed. Scatter the seeds thinly and lightly press them into the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination.

Chamomile is relatively drought-tolerant once established, which is a huge plus for us Desert Southwest gardeners. However, it still needs consistent watering, especially during its initial growth and during our intense summer heat. Overwatering, though, is a quick path to leggy, weak plants.

During the spring and fall, water deeply about once a week, providing about 1 inch of water. Use the "finger test" – stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. In the extreme heat of summer, you might need to water every other day, or even daily, depending on the soil and sun exposure.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases, even in our arid climate. Signs of underwatering include wilting and yellowing leaves. Overwatering leads to yellowing leaves and potentially root rot. A light layer of mulch (straw or wood chips) helps retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.

You can expect your first chamomile harvest about 60 days after planting, typically from late April through late November in our region. Look for flowers where the petals are just beginning to bend slightly backward – this is when they're at their peak flavor.

Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried. Gently pluck the flower heads, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As the first frost approaches in mid- November, harvest all remaining flowers, even the smaller ones, and dry them for use during the winter months.

Here are a few common problems you might encounter growing chamomile in the Desert Southwest:

Aphids

• What it looks like: Clusters of tiny soft-bodied insects (green, black, or white) on stems and leaf undersides. Sticky honeydew residue. Curled or distorted new growth.
• What causes it: Rapid-reproducing sap-sucking insects. Populations explode in warm weather. Ant colonies may farm them for honeydew.
• How to fix/prevent it: Strong water spray knocks them off. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings (natural predators). Insecticidal soap for heavy infestations. Neem oil works systemically. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer (it attracts them).

Mealybugs

• What it looks like: Small, white, cottony masses on stems, leaves, and in leaf joints. Stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and honeydew excretion.
• What causes it: Sap-sucking insects that thrive in warm, dry conditions. They are often brought in by ants.
• How to fix/prevent it: Dab individual mealybugs with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Introduce beneficial insects like lacewings. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can also be effective. Control ant populations.

Thrips

• What it looks like: Tiny, slender insects that cause silvery or white streaks on leaves and flowers. Distorted or stunted growth. Black specks of frass (excrement) may be visible.
• What causes it: These pests thrive in hot, dry conditions and feed by sucking plant juices.
• How to fix/prevent it: Strong sprays of water can dislodge them. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can be effective, especially when applied regularly. Blue sticky traps can help monitor and reduce populations.

Desert Southwest Specific Challenges: The extreme heat and low humidity of our summers can stress chamomile plants, making them more susceptible to pests. Monitor your plants closely, especially during the hottest months, and provide adequate water and shade if necessary. The monsoon season can bring temporary relief from the heat, but also increases the risk of fungal diseases if plants are not well-drained.

Chamomile is a great companion plant for many vegetables in the Desert Southwest garden. Planting chamomile near onions helps deter onion flies. It also benefits cabbage and broccoli by attracting beneficial insects that prey on cabbage worms.

Chamomile near cucumbers can improve their growth and flavor. Green beans also benefit from being planted near chamomile, as it repels bean beetles. Avoid planting chamomile near mint, as they compete for resources and can inhibit each other's growth.