Chamomile

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla / Chamaemelum nobile) – 4–5 Inch Pot
Available in Jupiter, FL. at Urban Abundance.

Calming, cheerful, and delightfully fragrant—Chamomile brings sweet daisy‑like blooms and gentle herbal elegance to your garden. With its tiny white petals, golden centers, and apple‑like scent, this herb is perfect for teas, edible flower beds, and pollinator‑friendly corners. A member of the Asteraceae family, chamomile is generally treated as a cool‑season annual herb in South Florida’s climate.

Sold in a 4–5 inch pot, this starter plant is ideal for raised beds, containers, or edible‑flower borders.

Sunlight Needs: Full sun is best—about 6+ hours daily. In very hot afternoons, a little filtered shade helps prevent bloom droop.
Watering Needs: Moderate. Water thoroughly after planting; then aim for about 1 inch of water per week until established. Once mature, allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. 
Soil Requirements: Well‑draining soil enriched with compost. Chamomile tolerates lightweight or even somewhat poor soils but performs best in a neutral to slightly acidic pH (5.6–7.5). 
Growth Habit: Low to medium height, spreading rosette with daisy‑like blooms. Typical height 6–12 inches, spread about 12–18 inches depending on care. Some varieties form groundcover‑like mats.
Harvest Timing / Blooming: Blooms appear in 6–10 weeks under ideal conditions. Harvest flower heads for tea when petals begin to bend backward and the flower center is fully open.
Heat Tolerance & Seasonal Notes: Chamomile prefers the cooler, dry season in South Florida. While it tolerates some heat, excessive humidity and intense summer sun may reduce bloom quality. Part‑shade in the hottest afternoons improves performance in our region. 
Special Features:

• Edible flowers and leaves: Brew for tea or use in salads.

• Excellent companion plant: Attracts beneficial insects and supports nearby herbs. 

• Low maintenance once established, and very fragrant.

Next steps after purchase:

• Transplant into a sunny (or morning sun + light afternoon shade) site with well‑drained, compost‑rich soil.

• Space plants about 8–12 inches apart for good air circulation.

• Mulch lightly to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

• Water regularly during establishment; once mature, allow soil to dry moderately between waterings.

• Pinch off spent flower heads to encourage fresh blooms and maintain tidy appearance.

• Harvest flower heads when ready, then dry in a screen or shallow tray for tea use.

This is treated here as a cool‑season annual herb in South Florida—meaning it will grow, bloom, and complete its primary harvest cycle in one season. In milder or protected micro‑climates it may reseed or persist, but for best results plan for it as an annual crop.