Roman

Family: Asteraceae Herb

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

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
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	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.