Roman

Family: Asteraceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Fragrant as a summer meadow at dusk, Roman chamomile blooms with a gentle, apple-like perfume that lingers on the fingertips.

The delicate, daisy-like heads open to a soft golden center surrounded by crisp, white rays, offering a soothing, floral character prized for steeping into aromatic infusions. Grow Roman for a tidy, garden-worthy habit and a steady harvest of blossoms at about 70 days—ideal for homegrown, fragrant rituals and calming blends.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Spreading

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Roman Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 20th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Spreading
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Roman chamomile is all about that fingertip-sweet apple-floral aroma, so it’s at its best when steeped gently—overdoing heat or time can tip it toward bitterness. Use it to perfume dairy and citrus with a soft, calming finish rather than a sharp herbal bite.

Best Uses

hot or iced chamomile tea (steep to keep it fragrant, not harsh)
light floral syrup for cocktails and lemonades
infusing into custards, yogurt, or panna cotta for a meadow-like finish

Flavor Profile

apple-like, honeyed floral perfume lightly bitter chamomile snap silky, soothing herbal body after steeping

Kitchen Pairings

lemon honey vanilla apple ginger orange blossom water

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), and how do I fix it?

Roman chamomile is prone to fungal issues like powdery mildew and botrytis when airflow is poor and foliage stays damp. Water at the base and space plants so leaves don’t touch, then remove badly affected growth and improve ventilation; if mildew persists, treat with a horticultural sulfur product according to label directions.

How often should I water Roman chamomile during its main growing phase?

During active growth, keep soil lightly moist but never waterlogged—aim for watering when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil feels dry. In full sun beds, this often means about 1–2 deep waterings per week depending on heat, with less in cool or rainy periods.

How can I tell when Roman chamomile is ready to harvest?

Harvest when flower heads are fully open and the centers look mature, typically around 70 days from sowing. For best flavor, pick on a dry morning and continue harvesting every few days during the bloom peak so new buds keep forming.