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Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), whole plant
  • Roman Chamomile — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Roman Chamomile — seasonal appearance
  • Roman Chamomile in a garden setting

Roman Chamomile

Chamaemelum nobile

Easy · Beginner friendly

About Roman Chamomile

Chamaemelum nobile, Roman chamomile, is a low-growing, mat-forming herb with feathery, apple-scented foliage and small white daisy flowers. Unlike German chamomile (annual), Roman chamomile is a perennial ground cover growing only 10–15 cm tall. The flowers are used for chamomile tea, though German chamomile is more commonly used commercially. The non-flowering cultivar 'Treneague' creates a walkable, fragrant lawn that releases scent when stepped on. Native to western Europe, it has been a garden herb since the Middle Ages.

  • Medicinal
  • Fragrant
  • Groundcover
WATER
Moderate
Average water
LIGHT
Full sun
6+ hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to -30°F (-34°C)
USDA hardiness zones 4–9

How to care for Roman Chamomile

Watering

  • Springevery 4 days
  • Summerevery 3 days
  • Fallevery 6 days
  • Winterevery 10 days

Soil · Rich & well-draining

  • Top dressingCompost10%
  • Main mixPotting soil + compost 3:180%
  • DrainageGravel10%

Top up the compost layer each season.

FERTILIZER

  • Springevery 30 days
  • Summerevery 30 days
  • Fallevery 45 days
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At a Glance

  • NativeEurope
  • Height0.5–1 ft (0.2–0.3 m)
  • Spread1–1.5 ft (0.3–0.5 m)
  • Flower colorWhite, Yellow
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilSandy, Well-drained
  • LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

Jun–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Small daisy flowers for tea; 'Treneague' variety is non-flowering lawn substitute

Fragrance

STRONG FRAGRANCE

Sweet apple-hay aroma; stronger than German chamomile.

Toxicity

Humans Slight · Pets Slight

bisabolol, chamazulene, and apigenin

Slight

  • Flower
  • Contact
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Touching flowers. Eating flowers.

EFFECT Contact dermatitis in Asteraceae-allergic individuals and rare anaphylaxis in severe ragweed allergy.

NOTE Documented concern for humans: Contact dermatitis in Asteraceae-allergic individuals and rare anaphylaxis in severe ragweed allergy.

Slight

  • All
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating any part of the plant.

EFFECT Vomiting, diarrhea (per ASPCA).

NOTE ASPCA lists chamomile as mildly toxic to pets; risk of Asteraceae allergy in humans.

Slight

  • All
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating any part of the plant.

EFFECT Vomiting, diarrhea.

NOTE ASPCA lists chamomile as mildly toxic to pets; risk of Asteraceae allergy in humans.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Roman Chamomile · Native
  • Native
  • Introduced
  • Europe

History

Illustrated historical scene for Roman Chamomile

Chamaemelum nobile is native to western Europe, particularly the British Isles, France, and the Iberian Peninsula. The name "chamomile" derives from Greek "chamai" (on the ground) + "melon" (apple), reflecting the plant's low habit and apple-like fragrance. Egyptians dedicated chamomile to Ra as a fever remedy — evidence of chamomile use appears in the Ebers Papyrus (c. 1550 BCE).

Medieval Europeans used it as a strewing herb on floors for fragrance and to repel insects, and as a calmative tea. Roman chamomile (C. nobile) and German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) are distinct species with similar uses; Roman chamomile is the traditional "chamomile lawn" plant of English cottage gardens. Beatrix Potter's 1902 Tale of Peter Rabbit has Mrs. Rabbit administer chamomile tea to Peter after his traumatic raid on Mr. McGregor's garden, a reference to established English nursery medicine.

The famous chamomile lawn at Buckingham Palace was planted for Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953 and remains one of the most prestigious herb gardens in the world. Chamomile tea is the most consumed herbal tea worldwide — Germans call it 'alles zutraut' (capable of anything), reflecting their faith in its medicinal properties. Modern use for insomnia, anxiety, and GI complaints is supported by clinical studies.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Roman Chamomile is patience underfoot. Old gardeners called it a companion to ailing plants, and its apple-scented mats seem to soften paths wherever people walk. Its meaning is gentle steadiness: the kind of calm that does not announce itself, but leaves fragrance behind after pressure.

  • Patience — The plant's physician — gently healing those around it, representing patient care

Where the Name Comes From

Chamaemelum from Greek 'chamai' (on the ground) and 'melon' (apple), for the apple-scented ground-hugging habit. Nobile means 'noble.'

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Dried apple-scented flowers brewed into classic Roman chamomile tea
  • Traditional calming tea and compress for sleep and skin
  • Apple-scented foliage releases scent when walked upon
  • Low aromatic mat used as fragrant lawn alternative

Related plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Roman Chamomile?

In summer, water about every 3 days; in winter, about every 10 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Roman Chamomile need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Roman Chamomile toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Slight (Dogs Slight · Cats Slight) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Roman Chamomile easy to grow?

Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.

When does Roman Chamomile bloom?

It typically blooms Jun–Aug in the Northern Hemisphere.

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