Dyer's Chamomile

Family: Asteraceae Herb

Fragrant, apple-sweet chamomile blooms open into daisy-like clusters with a honeyed, golden perfume that fills the garden on warm afternoons.

Dyer's Chamomile forms sturdy, feathery foliage and produces abundant heads with a crisp, delicate texture—ideal for drying and for infusing the gentle, floral character that makes this herb a favorite. Grow it for its aromatic presence and its steady harvest of charming blossoms over a long, satisfying season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Dyer's Chamomile

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Dyer’s Chamomile leans into that unmistakable apple-honey floral lift, with a delicate crispness from the dried heads. Use it like a fragrance ingredient—steep briefly and lightly sweeten—so the gentle bitterness doesn’t steamroll the perfume.

Best Uses

hot or cold infusions (tea) that stay fragrant without getting harsh
drying the heads for a clean, perfume-forward steep
infusing cream, milk, or simple syrup for custards and panna cotta
finishing fruit salads or yogurt with sparingly used dried blossoms

Flavor Profile

apple-sweet floral aroma honeyed golden perfume light, crisp bloom texture when dried soothing, gently bitter finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon honey vanilla almond milk or cream brown sugar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Anthemis tinctoria (dyer’s chamomile), and what should I do?

A common problem is powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, dusty coating on leaves during warm, humid spells. Improve airflow by spacing plants adequately and watering at the soil line, then remove heavily infected foliage early. If mildew keeps coming back, use a labeled sulfur-based fungicide and reapply according to the label at the first signs on new growth.

How often should I water Anthemis tinctoria during its main growing phase?

During active growth (from establishment through early flowering), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil lightly moist but never soggy—typically watering about 1 inch per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings, since Anthemis tinctoria performs best in moderately dry conditions rather than consistently wet soil. Once plants are established, reduce watering because overly wet soil increases disease risk.

How can I tell when Anthemis tinctoria is ready to harvest?

Harvest when most flower heads are fully open and a high proportion of the ray florets are spread (usually around 90 days from sowing, depending on conditions). Pick on dry mornings after dew has evaporated to help the flowers dry evenly and reduce spoilage. Continue harvesting repeatedly as new heads open, but avoid harvesting when heads start turning brown and seed heads begin forming.