Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Dainty herb with apple-scented daisy-like flowers used for soothing teas. Known as the plant doctor for helping sickly neighboring plants.
Overview
Companion Planting
Broccoli
Cabbage
Onion
MintToxicity
Contains bisabolol, tannic acid, chamazulene, and anthemic acid; may cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and contact dermatitis in pets. Safe for humans and widely consumed as herbal tea.
Planting Tips
1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.
Care Tip: Pinch growing tips and deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming; thin seedlings to 30–40 cm apart for good air circulation.
Common Pests
Aphids
Symptoms: Clusters of small green or black insects on stems and new growth; sticky honeydew residue and curled or yellowing leaves.
Treatment: Spray with a strong jet of water or apply insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Prevention: Encourage beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization.
Thrips
Symptoms: Silver-white streaks or stippling on leaves and petals; distorted or discolored flower heads.
Treatment: Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove and destroy heavily infested plant parts.
Prevention: Keep the area free of plant debris and weeds; use reflective mulch to deter thrips.
Mealybugs
Symptoms: White cottony masses on stems and leaf axils; stunted growth and leaf yellowing from sap-feeding.
Treatment: Wipe off with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab or spray with insecticidal soap.
Prevention: Inspect new plants before adding them to the garden; avoid overwatering and over-fertilizing.
Common Diseases
Powdery Mildew
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves and stems, often leading to leaf yellowing and drop.
Treatment: Remove affected foliage; apply a sulfur-based or potassium bicarbonate fungicide.
Prevention: Ensure good air circulation by spacing plants properly; avoid overhead watering.
Botrytis Blight (Gray Mold)
Symptoms: Gray fuzzy mold on older leaves and the center of the plant; tissue becomes soft and rots.
Treatment: Remove and destroy infected plant material immediately; apply a copper-based fungicide if severe.
Prevention: Plant in well-drained soil, avoid crowding, and water at the base to keep foliage dry.
Damping Off
Symptoms: Seedlings emerge healthy then suddenly wilt, collapse at the soil line, and die.
Treatment: No cure once symptoms appear; remove affected seedlings to prevent spread.
Prevention: Use sterile seed-starting mix, avoid overwatering, and provide good ventilation around seedlings.