Chamomile in Zone 9B — Texas

Chamomile is a fantastic addition to any Texas garden. Its delicate, apple-like flavor makes for a soothing tea, and its cheerful flowers attract beneficial insects. Plus, the satisfaction of brewing a homegrown cup of chamomile tea after a long day battling the Texas heat is hard to beat.

Our unpredictable weather can be a challenge, but chamomile is surprisingly resilient. With a long growing season like ours – almost 308 days! – you have plenty of opportunity to get a good harvest, even with the occasional surprise freeze.

Starting chamomile indoors gives you a head start, especially if you want to get an early harvest. Start your seeds indoors from early to late December, about six weeks before you plan to transplant. This gives the seedlings a chance to get strong before our spring warmth arrives.

Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix and keep them in a warm spot with plenty of light – a sunny windowsill or under grow lights works great. Bottom watering is your friend here; it helps prevent damping off. Just set the tray in a shallow dish of water until the top of the soil is moist.

Transplant your chamomile seedlings outdoors from late January through mid February, after the threat of a hard freeze has passed. Before you transplant, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the Texas sunshine and temperature swings.

Plant them 6-8 inches apart in well-draining soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – those late cold snaps can still happen! Be ready to cover your seedlings if a freeze is predicted.

Direct sowing chamomile is easy and effective. Sow seeds directly outdoors from late January through late September. This method avoids transplant shock and allows the plants to establish deep roots.

Choose a spot with well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Lightly rake the soil, sprinkle the seeds evenly, and gently press them in. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge. Thin them to 6-8 inches apart once they are a few inches tall.

Chamomile is drought-tolerant and prefers well-drained soil, making it a great fit for Texas gardens. Overwatering is a bigger problem than underwatering with this herb, leading to leggy and weak growth.

During the cooler months (late January through early March and again in the late fall), water only when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch – use the finger test! Give them about 1 inch of water per week if rainfall is scarce. In the heat of summer, you might need to water more frequently, especially if you're dealing with dry spells.

Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our variable humidity. Yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering, while wilting leaves indicate underwatering. A light layer of mulch, like shredded leaves or straw, helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, especially during our hotter months.

You can expect your first chamomile harvest from late March through mid December, about 60 days after planting. The best time to harvest is in the morning after the dew has dried, when the flowers are at their peak.

Look for flowers where the petals are just beginning to bend slightly backward. Gently pluck the flower heads off the plant, being careful not to damage the stems. Regular harvesting encourages continued production.

As our first frost approaches around early December, harvest any remaining flowers. You can dry them for tea or use them fresh. Dried chamomile stores well in an airtight container.

Here are a few common problems you might encounter with chamomile in your Texas garden:

Aphids *What it looks like:* Clusters of tiny soft-bodied insects (green, black, or white) on stems and leaf undersides. You might also notice a sticky honeydew residue or curled and distorted new growth. *What causes it:* Aphids are rapid-reproducing sap-sucking insects that thrive in warm weather. Ant colonies often farm them for the honeydew they produce. *How to fix/prevent it:* A strong spray of water can knock them off. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings. For heavy infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer, as it attracts aphids.

Mealybugs *What it looks like:* Small, white, cottony masses on stems and leaves, especially in joints. Plants will appear weak and stunted. *What causes it:* Mealybugs are sap-sucking insects that prefer warm, humid conditions. They can be brought in on new plants or spread by ants. *How to fix/prevent it:* Dab individual mealybugs with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Control ant populations to prevent them from spreading mealybugs.

Thrips *What it looks like:* Tiny, slender insects that cause silvery streaks or stippling on leaves and flowers. You might also see black fecal spots. *What causes it:* Thrips are sap-sucking insects that thrive in hot, dry conditions. They can be spread by wind or on infested plants. *How to fix/prevent it:* Encourage natural predators like lacewings and minute pirate bugs. Use sticky traps to catch adult thrips. For heavy infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Texas Specific Challenges: The hot-to-extreme heat and variable humidity of Texas can stress chamomile plants, making them more susceptible to pests and diseases. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overwatering to keep your plants healthy and resilient. The unpredictable rainfall can also be a challenge, so monitor soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Chamomile makes a great companion plant in the Texas garden.

Good companions:

• Onions: They deter many pests that might bother chamomile.
• Cabbage and Broccoli: Chamomile attracts beneficial insects that prey on cabbage worms and other pests that attack these brassicas.
• Cucumbers: Chamomile can improve the growth and flavor of cucumbers.
• Green Beans: Chamomile helps to repel bean beetles.

Avoid planting chamomile near fennel, as it can inhibit its growth.