How and When to Harvest Chamomile (2024)

Chamomile is one of my must have herbs in the tea garden. It adds beautiful, cheery little blossoms to the garden and makes a delicious comforting tea. In this post, I share how and when to harvest chamomile as well as how to dry it and brew it into a cup of tea.

Also Read:How To Make Tea with Herbs,Using Herbs in Mocktails and co*cktails,Favourite Tea Herbs to Grow

Chamomile makesa soothing, comforting tea perfect for upset tummies, anxiety or sleepy time. I remember my mom making us chamomile tea if we had a mild fever, upset stomach or couldn’t get to sleep. It’s a tradition I’ve carried on with my kids who ask for a cup of chamomile if they’re feeling a little under the weather.

What Part of Chamomile to Harvest

Unlike many other herbs, when harvesting chamomile, it is the blossoms you want to collect, not the stems, leaves or roots. Those gorgeous white daisy like flowers are all you want to harvest for chamomile tea.

In fact, the green stems and leaves can lead to a bitter flavour, so just harvest the blossoms.

When to Harvest Chamomile

Harvesting chamomile is a continuous activity that starts mid July. The blossoms will continue to grow if you keep picking them. If you stop picking and the flowers go to seed, chamomile will stop producing new flowers. So, get ready to harvest chamomile blossoms all summer! Good thing, it’s easy to do.

Chamomile flowers are ready to harvest when they are at full bloom. Ideally, the blossoms areopen to theirfullest, just before the tiny white petals begin to droop down. It’s not unsafe to harvest the blossoms if they’re a little premature or a little droopy, it’s just that they’re beneficial properties may not be at their fullest and most potent state.

The best time of day to harvest chamomile, or any other herb, is in the morning after any dew has dried andbefore the midday sun has started to beat down on the blossoms.

How to Harvest Chamomile

Here’s a video giving a quick demo.

Use your fingers as a comb to get just the flower head, simply pluck the flower head off the stem while using your other hand to hold the stem of the plant.

Or, pinch off each flower head using your forefinger and thumb just underneath the flower head.

Gather all the blossoms you can. You’ll have to come back several times over the summer to collect blossoms when they’re at full bloom.

Chamomile will Self Seed

Chamomile is an annual that self-seeds quite well. When you stop harvesting the blossoms, they will dry and produce seeds. In the right environment, these seeds are quite prolific. I often leave a few blossoms to go to seed so I get volunteer chamomile plants the following year. I also harvest some of the dried out blossoms for the seed which I sow wherever I want chamomile to grow the next year. I’ve had pretty good success growing chamomile from saved seeds.

How to Dry Chamomile

Gently shake the flowers and look them over to remove any insects or dirt that may be on the flower heads.

If you wish, you can wash the flowers in a basin of water. Drain well and gently pat dry. I only wash the blossoms if I notice a lot of tiny little insects.

To really encourage the insects to come out of the nooks and crannies add vinegar or salt to the water.

Air Dry – Spread out the flowers in a single layer on a mesh tray (ideal) or platter. Set the tray in a dark, warm, dry space with some air flow. Let dry for 1 to 2 weeks in a dark, warm, dry space. If you live in a very humid climate, you may have more success using a dehydrator.

In a Paper Bag – If I have only a handful of chamomile flowers that don’t need to be washed, I put them in a brown paper bag and put it in a dark, warm, dry space to dry inside the bag.

Dehydrate – Dry flowers on a lined dehydrator tray to prevent tiny dried blossoms from falling through the mesh. To avoid blossomsfrom blowing off the tray, place a mesh liner on top of the chamomile flowers. Set the dehydrator on it’s lowest setting(95°F or 35°C) and dry for 12 to 18 hours. Delicate herbs and flowers should always be dehydrated at the lowest settings for optimum results.

Once the flowers are thoroughly dried and cooled, store in a well sealed glass jar until next year’s chamomile harvest. Always store dried herbs out of direct heat or sunlight to best preserve the color, flavor and medicinal properties.

How to Make Tea with Fresh or Dried Chamomile

Dried Chamomile: use 2-3 teaspoons of dried chamomile per1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 2-3 minutes. Not longer or else the tea may have a bitter flavour.

Fresh Chamomile: use 6-8 teaspoons of fresh chamomile per 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 2-5 minutes.

Do you ever drink chamomile tea? Do you use it for a specific purpose or do you just enjoy it? If so, have you ever tried growing and harvesting your own chamomile?

I’d love to see your chamomile blossoms. Takea photo, post it on Instagram and tag#getgettysso I cansee it and like it!

Select, store and serve seasonal food for everyday cooking with Getty.Gettyisa food educator andProfessional Home Economist,who loves sharing tips and recipes following the seasons from her Canadian kitchen.Sign up toget seasonal tips and recipes delivered to your inbox.Learn more aboutGettyor check out herbooks and guides.