I study landscape ecology and through my studies have discovered a love for plants. Plants are not only beautiful, but also have countless fascinating survival strategies. To bring a bit of nature into my home as well, I nurture my houseplants and herbs on every possible windowsill. Favourite fruit: rhubarb and all kinds of berries Favourite vegetables: onions and garlic
Do you dream of a fragrant lawn full of flowers? Forming a close-knit carpet full of aromatic blossoms, Roman chamomile could be just the plant for you!
Roman chamomile makes an excellent alternative to a grass lawn and can also be planted as a bee-friendly ornamental. Find out how to grow it and what to bear in mind when caring for Roman chamomile here.
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is indeed a perennial herb, meaning it comes back year after year. This fragrant herb has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties and ability to serve as a lawn substitute Let’s take a closer look at why roman chamomile is classified as a perennial and how to grow it in your garden.
What Makes a Plant a Perennial?
Perennials are plants that live for multiple years, unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in one season. The key difference is that perennials develop persistent roots or other overwintering structures that allow them to survive through the winter and resume growth in spring.
Some examples of herbaceous perennials are lavender, sage, thyme, and chives. Their above-ground foliage dies back each winter but the root system remains alive underground. Woody perennials like roses and fruit bushes also maintain their woody stems year after year.
Roman Chamomile Growth Habits
Roman chamomile is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family. It forms a mat of fine, fern-like foliage and white daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. Here are some of its key perennial growth habits
- Develops a branching root system that overwinters underground
- Emerges each spring from roots and crowns near soil surface
- Grows prostrate stems that root at nodes as they creep along ground
- Can spread via rhizomes and stolons to form dense mats
- Flowers continuously from early summer to autumn
- Foliage dies back in winter but roots persist
Unlike annual chamomiles, roman chamomile’s perennial root system gives it the ability to regrow for many years. Its spreading growth habit also allows it to effectively colonize an area over time.
Growing Conditions for Roman Chamomile
To grow roman chamomile successfully as a perennial, provide the following conditions:
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Average, well-drained soil
- Water: Moderate watering, allow soil to partly dry out
- Zone: Hardy in zones 4-9
- Propagation: Seed, division, cuttings
This herb does best in a sunny spot with loose, sandy soil. Good drainage is key to prevent rotting over the winter. It’s fairly drought tolerant once established. In zones 4-9, roman chamomile can be left in the ground as a perennial without any special winter protection.
Caring for Roman Chamomile
Caring for roman chamomile as a perennial is relatively simple:
- Water during dry periods to prevent wilting
- Apply organic fertilizer in early spring
- Prune lightly after flowering to encourage dense growth
- Divide congested plants in spring every 2-3 years
- Watch for pests like aphids and diseases like powdery mildew
Pruning and division keep the plants full and prevent bare spots. Occasional fertilizing replaces nutrients used for flowering. Monitor for any signs of insects or disease. With proper care, a roman chamomile perennial planting can thrive for many years.
Using Roman Chamomile as a Perennial Groundcover
One of the best ways to utilize roman chamomile’s perennial nature is by planting it as a groundcover. Its creeping stems quickly spread to form a lush, aromatic carpet perfect forsubstituting grass. The white flowers create a beautiful flowering lawn effect.
For a roman chamomile groundcover:
- Plant 10-12 inches apart to allow room to spread
- Water regularly to encourage rapid spreading
- Mow occasionally to a height of 1-2 inches
- Divide sections every few years to fill in bare spots
- Can withstand moderate foot traffic
As a perennial groundcover, roman chamomile doesn’t require reseeding each year like an annual. Once established, it will faithfully return on its own year after year.
Perennial Varieties to Grow
Some popular perennial roman chamomile varieties include:
- ‘Treneague’ – Non-flowering green mat, withstands more foot traffic
- ‘Plena’ – Double white flowers, but sterile so no reseeding
- ‘Inermis’ – Low growing with abundant small flowers
- ‘Tricolor’ – Variegated leaves in white, green and yellow
For a lush green lawn effect, try ‘Treneague’. If you prefer more floral color, go for ‘Plena’ or ‘Inermis’. The variegated ‘Tricolor’ adds unique appeal.
Roman Chamomile Compared to German Chamomile
Roman and German chamomiles are often confused. But German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is actually an annual. Some key differences:
- Lifecycle – Roman is perennial, German is annual
- Height – Roman grows shorter ~10-30 cm vs. German at 20-60 cm
- Flowers – Roman has a prominent central disk, German has a hollow center
- Leaves – Roman leaves are more finely divided
Health Benefits of Perennial Roman Chamomile
Some of the most researched health benefits of roman chamomile include:
- Relieves digestive issues like nausea, gas, and colic
- Soothes anxiety, irritability, and promotes relaxation
- Anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and pain
- Antimicrobial actions fight infections when used topically
- Aids skin conditions like eczema, ulcers, and rashes
Roman chamomile contains active compounds like chamazulene and alpha-bisabolol that produce these effects. Using the flowers and essential oil provides the main medicinal benefits of this perennial herb.
So in conclusion, yes roman chamomile is definitely a perennial! This versatile herb thrives for many years in the garden and provides both visual appeal and therapeutic effects. If you’re looking for an easy-care, long-lived groundcover or flowering border, roman chamomile is an excellent perennial choice.
Chamomile as a lawn substitute
As Roman chamomile is relatively tread tolerant − surviving the odd footfall − it can be used as a lawn plant instead of grass turf. It spreads like a carpet by forming runners. The pleasant scent emanating from the flowers and leaves is another bonus. However, it is important to note that a Roman chamomile lawn is not quite as robust as a traditional grass lawn.
If you are planning to use Roman chamomile as a lawn substitute, you will need to decide whether you want a white carpet of flowers or a non-flowering green. In addition to the wild flowering form, there are also other suitable varieties:
‘Treneague’: This chamomile plant does not produce flowers, only green foliage. It grows about 10 cm high and spreads quickly through its runners.
‘Plena’: This variety develops double flowers, creating a lovely flowering carpet. Unfortunately, the variety ‘Plena’ is not bee-friendly, and its flowers are sterile − meaning it does not form any seeds.
In preparation for sowing a chamomile lawn, clear the soil of roots from previous plants and, if the soil is heavy, mix in some sand to loosen it. The plant spacing for a chamomile lawn is 20 cm. That comes to about eleven plants per square metre. Not every seed will germinate though, so feel free to be generous when sowing them. You can prick out the young plants later. For a dense and lush lawn, the location should be bright and sunny. To help the plants branch out and appear even denser, we advise trimming for the first time in late summer. Beginning the following year, you can maintain the chamomile lawn with a lawn mower.
When it comes to care, Roman chamomile is pretty low maintenance. It tolerates slightly drier soil and only needs watering during long periods of drought. When the plant is cultivated as a lawn, water more regularly so that the plants produce plenty of lush growth. However, make sure to avoid waterlogging.
Even fertilising is rarely necessary. A single application of slow-release fertiliser in spring should keep the plant going. In particularly poor soils, work in some fertiliser before sowing in the first year. Our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food is ideal for this. It will supply plants with all the essential nutrients for healthy growth over a period of three months, while also supporting an active soil life.
- Perfect for a variety of plants in the garden & on the balcony
- Promotes healthy plant growth & an active soil life
- Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products – child & pet friendly
Pruning encourages chamomile to branch out into bushier plants. Keep in mind that the right time for pruning differs depending on the variety. Flowering varieties should not be pruned before June, otherwise they will not flower, whereas you can prune non-flowering varieties earlier in the year. Late summer is generally ideal for pruning, as it also helps prepare the plants for overwintering. Prune generously to encourage a dense and strongly-branched carpet of foliage.
Growing Roman chamomile: sowing, location and soil
Aside from growing as a lawn alternative, you can also simply plant Roman chamomile as an ornamental or herbal plant in your garden. Like German chamomile and dyer’s chamomile (Anthemis tinctoria), it is quite low-maintenance. It prefers a spot in full sun or partial shade with loose, well-drained soil. If your garden soil is loamy, mix in some sand to improve permeability. If, on the other hand, the soil is poor in nutrients, mix in a high-quality potting soil, such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost. Before mixing it in, loosen the soil and remove any root remains and unwanted weeds.
You can introduce Roman chamomile to your garden by sowing seeds or planting already established plants. The best times of year to sow Roman chamomile seeds are late spring and late summer. Just moisten the soil and spread the seeds on top. The seeds should not be covered, as they need light to germinate. When temperatures are between 15 and 20 °C, germination will take about two weeks. Water regularly during this time.
Is Chamomile A Perennial? – The Plant Enthusiast
FAQ
Does Roman chamomile come back every year?
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a perennial so does come back every year.
Is Roman chamomile invasive?
Does Roman chamomile spread?
Yes, Roman chamomile spreads, but not aggressively. It grows low to the ground and spreads via creeping stems that root as they grow, forming a dense mat over time.
Which kind of chamomile is perennial?
The shorter Roman, English or garden chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile, is a similar-looking perennial from western Europe hardy in zones 4-9. This evergreen species spreads by creeping, rooting stems and can be aggressive in good conditions. It is used less frequently since it has a more bitter taste than M.