Planting chamomile in adequate soil.

Chamomile is one of the most forgiving plants around; it almost thrives on neglect. It will grow well in poor to average soil, as long as that soil has good drainage. If you test your soil (which you do, right?), chamomile likes soil with a pH between 5.6 to 7.5. The soil shouldn’t be too rich, nor should it be dense, clay-like soil—the roots won’t be able to establish themselves. Soil that’s too sandy will be lacking essential nutrients, giving you lackluster plants with very few blossoms—and the blossoms are the point of chamomile, right?

If you’re doing container gardening, use a good quality potting mix and make sure your container has good drainage. It’s a good idea to sterilize your containers before you put your plants in—even brand-new containers. Wipe down the inside of your containers with a 1:10 solution of bleach and water. Let it air dry, then add good quality potting soil mix. Don’t use garden soil; you want fresh, sterile soil free of pests and disease.

What type of soil do you use to grow your chamomile? Do you use compost at all? What are your tips for creating optimal soil for your chamomile? Please share your techniques with us.