Calypso Chamomile

Family: Asteraceae Herb

Aromas of apple-sweet chamomile drift up as the delicate, daisy-like blooms open—fragrant, honeyed, and impossibly calming.

Calypso Chamomile forms tidy, branching plants with fine, feathery foliage and abundant flowers that deliver a gentle, floral flavor with a crisp, airy texture. Grow it for soothing herbal infusions and for drying—its blossoms hold their character beautifully for later use in teas and calming blends.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Calypso Chamomile

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Calypso chamomile drinks like a soft floral perfume—apple-sweet at first sip, then a clean, faintly bitter finish that never gets heavy. It’s especially good when you steep gently (or steep, then strain fast) so the blossoms keep their honeyed lift instead of turning tannic.

Best Uses

steeping blossoms for soothing hot or iced herbal tea
drying blooms to preserve their honeyed perfume for winter infusions
folding into custards or panna cotta as a floral, low-heat steep
infusing syrup or honey for teatime drizzle and rim-sugar aromatics

Flavor Profile

apple-sweet floral aroma honeyed, gentle bitterness light, airy crunch from dried petals clean chamomile finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon zest honey vanilla milk or cream ginger

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem most often affects Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile), and how do I treat it?

German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) commonly suffers from powdery mildew in warm, humid conditions. Improve airflow by spacing plants and watering the soil (not the foliage), then spray an appropriate labeled fungicide for powdery mildew if infection is starting to spread. Remove the most heavily affected leaves early to slow further mildew buildup.

How often should I water Matricaria chamomilla during its main growing phase?

During the main growth phase, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for consistent moisture in the top few inches as plants establish. Water about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and soil, increasing frequency during hot spells and reducing it if the soil stays damp. Avoid soaking the crown because chamomile is prone to stress when roots sit in saturated soil.

How can I tell when Matricaria chamomilla is ready to harvest for best quality?

Harvest when the flower heads are fully open and the central disk is actively yellow, with the white ray petals positioned around the disk. For the best potency, pick in the morning after dew dries and before midday heat fades the bloom. If you wait until petals start to curl downward and brown, the heads are past peak for drying and tea use.