Chamomile is a cheerful herb that brings bright blossoms and a sweet aroma to any garden But did you know that chamomile can also be an excellent companion plant?
Choosing the right plants to grow alongside chamomile can enhance the growth and flavor of both plants. Certain companions can maximize yields, deter pests, and attract beneficial pollinators.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of planting chamomile with other herbs, flowers, and vegetables. We’ll also cover the top 12 chamomile companion plants for a healthy and thriving garden.
Why Grow Chamomile as a Companion Plant?
There are several reasons why chamomile makes an ideal companion plant:
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Pest deterrent. The strong scent of chamomile flowers can confuse pests like cabbage worms beetles moths, and aphids, keeping them away from nearby plants.
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Disease prevention. Chamomile has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help prevent issues like damping-off, powdery mildew, rust, and blight.
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Soil enhancement. As a “dynamic accumulator”, chamomile draws up nutrients like calcium and potassium from deep in the soil. These minerals become available to neighboring plants through its roots and fallen leaves.
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Attracts pollinators. The cheerful blossoms attract many beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. This supports pollination and natural pest control.
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Weed suppression. The low, spreading habit of chamomile acts as a living mulch. This helps control weeds and maintain soil moisture.
12 Best Companion Plants for Chamomile
Here are some of the top pairings for planting with chamomile:
1. Cucumbers
Cucumbers appreciate the shade and pest protection provided by chamomile. And chamomile enjoys the nitrogen-rich soil around cucumber roots.
2. Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale
Members of the brassica family benefit from chamomile’s pest-deterring qualities. Chamomile also enjoys the shade provided by these larger vegetables.
3. Beans
As nitrogen-fixers, beans enhance soil fertility for chamomile. And chamomile attracts pollinators to help beans produce.
4. Lettuce
Lettuce and chamomile both thrive in partial shade. Chamomile shelters lettuce from hot sun while improving growth.
5. Onions and Chives
The pungent aroma of onions and chives mask the smell of chamomile’s flowers from pests. They also deter specific issues like root rot.
6. Tomato
Tomatoes can provide some shade for chamomile in hot climates. And chamomile increases pollination and deters pests like hornworms.
7. Apple Trees
Traditionally planted under fruit trees, chamomile may enhance flavor and prevent fungal issues like apple scab.
8. Culinary Herbs
Basil, parsley, thyme and other herbs offer anti-fungal compounds. And their flowers attract beneficial insects when planted with chamomile.
9. Bee Balm
With their spreading flowers, bee balm and other perennials make attractive, mutually beneficial companions.
10. Marigolds
The vivid petals of marigolds disguise chamomile from pests. And marigolds help deter issues like nematodes in the soil.
11. Strawberries
Strawberries spread as a living mulch and ground cover around chamomile. The combination also looks beautiful!
12. Carrots
The deep roots of carrots bring up nutrients that become available to chamomile’s shallow roots.
What Not to Plant with Chamomile
While chamomile gets along with many plants, there are a few combinations to avoid:
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Mint – Mint is too aggressive and will overtake chamomile.
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Corn – Corn requires high soil nitrogen that chamomile can’t provide.
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Fennel – Fennel inhibits the growth of its neighboring plants, including chamomile.
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Carrots – Some claim chamomile attracts carrot root fly though evidence is debated.
Growing Conditions for Chamomile
To grow as a companion plant, chamomile prefers:
- Sun: Full sun to light partial shade
- Soil: Average fertility, sandy or loamy soils with good drainage
- pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, between 6.0-8.0
- Temperatures: 50-80°F
- Water: Moderate moisture, drought tolerant
Tips for Planting Chamomile
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Chamomile grows best started from seed sown directly in the garden in spring. Cover very lightly.
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Space chamomile plants 6-12 inches apart. Allow at least 12 inches between chamomile and larger companion plants.
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Cut back spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering.
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Save some blooms to self-seed for future chamomile generations.
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Maintain chamomile as an annual or short-lived perennial by replanting yearly.
Enjoy the Benefits of Chamomile Companion Planting
With its airy blooms and sweet apple fragrance, chamomile is a joy in the garden. Combine it with any of the suggested companion plants for a beautiful and thriving display.
Chamomile generously enhances soil, deters pests, and attracts pollinators for its companion plants. And the right plant friends can help chamomile overcome issues like powdery mildew.
Looking for an easy way to boost garden health? Plant up some cheerful chamomile alongside your other herbs, flowers, and vegetables. With the right companions, you’ll have happy plants and bountiful blooms!
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.
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.
How to Grow Chamomile From Seed (And Make Your Own Tea)
FAQ
What not to grow next to chamomile?
| Spices and Herbs | Bad Companion Plants |
|---|---|
| Chamomile | Potatoes and radish |
| Chervil | Radish |
| Chives | Beans and peas |
| Cumin | Peas and beans |
What does chamomile pair well with?
Pairing suggestions: Citrus, ginger, and honey are all flavors that pair well with Chamomile Mint. Any of those flavors can be added to the tea to amp up the flavor of the tea; or, try it with foods like gingersnap cookies, lemon bars, shortbread with citrus zest, or toast with butter and honey.
Does chamomile come back every year?
Common Chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile, is a perennial and will come back every year.
What not to mix chamomile with?
- Blood thinning medications (anticoagulants and antiplatelets): Chamomile may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood-thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and aspirin.
- Sedatives: Chamomile can make these drugs stronger, including: