Domakihub How to Grow Chamomile: A Practical Guide for Greek Gardens
From seed to harvest, everything you need to grow this sun-loving herb at home, on a terrace, or at your rental property.
Reviewed by Domakihub garden pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Chamomile is one of the easiest herbs you can grow in Greece — it thrives in dry, sunny conditions, asks for almost no fertiliser, and rewards you with delicate white-and-yellow flowers from late spring through early summer. The video above walks through the full growing cycle and flags the seed-starting mistake that trips up most beginners; this article gives you a step-by-step reference you can follow in a garden bed, a terrace pot, or a fragrant corner of a holiday rental courtyard. Whether you want fresh flowers for tea, a low-maintenance ground cover, or a sensory touch guests will remember, chamomile earns its place in any Greek outdoor space.
German or Roman chamomile — which one to choose?
German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is the variety most commonly grown for herbal tea. It reaches 30–60 cm tall, self-seeds freely, and produces the highest concentration of the calming compound apigenin. Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a low, creeping perennial that works well as a ground cover or lawn alternative on terraces. For most home growers in Greece — especially those growing primarily for harvest — German chamomile is the practical choice.
Roman chamomile suits small balconies and ornamental borders because it stays compact and spreads slowly. If space is limited or you want a plant that comes back every year without replanting, Roman is worth considering. Both varieties tolerate the Greek summer heat well, provided they get a little shade during the peak afternoon hours of July and August.
Why chamomile suits the Greek climate
Greece's long, dry summers and mild winters make it an excellent environment for chamomile. The plant originates in Mediterranean and Western Asian regions, so it is adapted to thin, well-drained soils with low organic matter — the opposite of what you would prepare for vegetables. Rich, heavily fertilised soil causes chamomile to produce lush foliage at the expense of flowers, so resist the temptation to amend heavily.
In coastal locations and the islands, chamomile can be sown in autumn for a spring flush of blooms. On the mainland and at higher elevations, a late-winter or early-spring sowing (February to March) gives the best results. A second sowing in early September can extend the season into late autumn before the first frosts arrive.
How to grow chamomile: 5 steps
- 1
Choose your spot and prepare the soil
Chamomile needs at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Pick a bed or container in full sun with good air circulation. If your soil is heavy clay, mix in coarse sand or small gravel to improve drainage — waterlogged roots are the number one cause of failure. Avoid adding compost or manure; chamomile prefers lean soil with a pH of 5.6 to 7.5. For containers, use a standard potting mix cut with 20–30% perlite.
- 2
Sow seeds correctly — do not bury them
This is the mistake the video highlights: chamomile seeds need light to germinate and must not be covered with soil. Scatter seeds thinly on the surface of moist growing medium, press them gently with a flat board so they make contact with the soil, and leave them exposed to light. Mist the surface lightly with water. Germination takes 7–14 days at temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius. Indoors, place trays under a bright window or a grow light; outdoors, sow directly into a prepared bed after the last frost.
- 3
Thin seedlings and transplant carefully
Once seedlings are 5–7 cm tall and show their first true leaves, thin to one plant every 20–23 cm for German chamomile and every 15 cm for Roman. Crowded plants invite fungal problems and reduce flowering. If you started seeds indoors, harden off seedlings over 7–10 days by setting them outdoors for a few hours each day before transplanting to their final position. Handle the fragile roots gently — chamomile dislikes root disturbance.
- 4
Water and feed with restraint
Young plants need consistent moisture until established — water whenever the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry. Once plants are well rooted (about 4–6 weeks after transplanting), reduce watering significantly. In a typical Greek spring, rainfall alone is often sufficient. Do not fertilise; a single light application of a balanced liquid feed at planting time is the maximum the plant needs. Over-feeding produces weak, floppy stems and few flowers.
- 5
Harvest flowers at the right moment
Pick flowers when the white petals begin to reflexback slightly from the yellow centre — this is when the essential oil concentration is at its peak and the fragrance is strongest. Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried. Pinch or snip the flower head just below the bloom. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to keep producing new flowers. Spread harvested blooms in a single layer on a mesh rack in a warm, shaded, well-ventilated spot; they dry fully in 1–2 weeks and can then be stored in an airtight glass jar away from light.
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FAQ
- Can I grow chamomile in a pot on my balcony in Greece?
- Yes. German chamomile grows well in containers at least 20 cm deep and 20 cm wide. Use a free-draining mix, place the pot in full sun, and water sparingly once established. A balcony facing south or west is ideal. Terracotta pots work particularly well because they allow excess moisture to evaporate through the walls.
- How long does it take from sowing to first harvest?
- German chamomile typically flowers 6–8 weeks after germination. If you sow in early March in lowland Greece, you can expect your first flowers by late April or May. The plant will continue producing blooms for 4–6 weeks if you harvest regularly.
- Does chamomile come back every year in Greece?
- German chamomile is an annual — it completes its life cycle in one season and then dies. However, it self-seeds prolifically, so if you allow a few flower heads to mature and drop their seeds, new plants will appear the following spring with no effort on your part. Roman chamomile is a perennial and will return each year on its own.