When my kids were little, I would send them off to bed with a cup of chamomile tea. The steam and healing properties would clear up stuffy noses and congestion; its anti-inflammatory properties would soothe sore throats and body aches, and its tranquilizing properties would help them sleep without being groggy and cranky the next day. Chamomile tea is an age-old remedy for many problems in gardens as well. Companion planting with chamomile is an even easier way to heal the garden.
What to Plant with Chamomile
Chamomile tea is used to spray on seedlings to prevent damping-off, a fungal infection that kills many young plants. By companion planting with chamomile, its natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties can help plants prone to fungus, mildew, mold, blight, and other common plant ailments.
Annuals susceptible to fungal problems, such as zinnias, petunias, snapdragons, and verbena, as well as blight prone vegetables, like tomatoes and potatoes, can all benefit by having chamomile as their neighbor. Plant chamomile as a companion to perennials like:
Roses, lilacs, ninebarks, and dogwood are a few shrubs/trees that also benefit from companion planting with chamomile.
Additional Chamomile Plant Companions
Besides its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal benefits, chamomile improves the growth and flavor of many plants. Farmers have long used chamomile as a companion plant to apple and other fruit trees. Vegetable companions include:
In the herb garden, chamomile pairs well with mint and basil, and is said to improve their taste and scent. Chamomile should be kept trimmed back so it stays full and healthy and does not get leggy and scraggly. While, of course, you’ll want to save some of these chamomile clippings for your own relaxing chamomile tea, also leave some in the garden as a calcium, magnesium, and potassium boost for chamomile plant companions and to sow more chamomile seed.
You can also spread clippings around any struggling plant to restore its vitality. Chamomile plant companions can also benefit from the aphid and mite eating hoverflies, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects that chamomile attracts; and you will benefit from its mosquito deterring scent.
-
"My Worst Mistake" – Gardeners Share 10 Hard-Learned LessonsGardeners never stop learning, and sometimes our mistakes are the best teachers. But why not save time and heartache by learning from other gardeners' failures?
-
Crops for Urban Growing: 8 Edible Plants For Urban GardensUrban edible gardening lets your yard do double duty of beauty and practicality. Have fun combining edible plants with ornamentals.
-
How To Dry Chamomile Plants – Tips For Drying Chamomile FlowersChamomile, unlike other herbs, is harvested just for its lovely, daisy-like flowers, which are then preserved. Chamomile preservation basically means drying the chamomile flowers. There are four chamomile drying techniques. Click here to find out how to dry chamomile.
-
Chamomile Seed Info: How And When To Plant Chamomile SeedsAll chamomile types produce an abundance of seed that will quickly self-sow wherever it lands in warm, loose soil. Click on the following article to learn more about growing chamomile from seed and when to plant chamomile seeds in the garden.
-
Chamomile Not Flowering: Why Won’t My Chamomile BloomChamomile is usually the go-to remedy for so many things, but what can you go to when it is a chamomile plant that needs a remedy - for example, how to make a chamomile plant flower if it's not. Learn more about non-blooming in chamomile here.
-
Roman Vs. German Chamomile – Learn About Different Types Of ChamomileIf you're so fond of the tea that you decide to grow chamomile in your own garden, you may be surprised to find that there are different types of seeds and plants available. Click here to learn about distinguishing between different chamomile varieties.
-
Potted Chamomile Plants – How To Grow Chamomile In A ContainerGrowing chamomile in containers is perfect if you're worried the generous self-seeder may be too rambunctious in the garden. Click fore more.
-
Is Chamomile Edible – Learn About Edible Chamomile UsesTraditionally, many generations have appreciated chamomile for its curative qualities, and to this day, people rely on chamomile tea to calm frazzled nerves and relax at bedtime. But is chamomile edible, and if so, what parts of chamomile are edible? Find out here.
-
Harvesting Chamomile Plants: When To Pick Chamomile FlowersChamomile is useful for so many ailments and is easy to grow too, but how do you know when to pick chamomile? Not only do you need to know when to harvest chamomile, but how to harvest chamomile. Click this article to find out about picking chamomile plants.
-
Growing Chamomile Tea: Making Tea From Chamomile PlantsIf you?ve never thought about growing your own chamomile tea plant for tea brewing, now?s the time. Chamomile is easy to grow and thrives in a variety of areas. Use the information from this article to find out how to grow chamomile for tea.
