The Best Companion Plants for Chamomile: What to Grow With It

With its delicate, daisy-like blooms and apple-like scent, chamomile is a beloved herb for tea, skincare, and aromatherapy But did you know that beyond its uses for humans, chamomile has benefits for the garden too? Certain plants thrive when chamomile is grown nearby

Chamomile’s pest-deterring qualities and ability to enhance flavor make it an ideal companion plant for many vegetables, herbs, and flowers This article explores the top companion plant pairings to try with chamomile. Read on to learn which plants chamomile assists so you can plan the perfect herbal community.

Why Is Chamomile Good for Companion Planting?

There are a couple key reasons chamomile makes an excellent companion plant:

• Pest deterrence – The strong scent of chamomile’s flowers and foliage can mask the odors of other plants, making it harder for pests to find them. Certain chemical compounds in chamomile may also repel or confuse insects.

• Attracts beneficial insects – The small, nectar-rich blooms of chamomile attract pollinators like bees as well as predatory insects that eat garden pests. These visitors can aid other plants too.

• Enhances flavor – When grown near plants like cabbage, onions, and herbs, chamomile is said to subtly improve their taste. This may be due to improved nutrient uptake.

• Natural fungicide – Studies show chamomile foliage has antifungal properties that may protect nearby plants from diseases.

So by planting chamomile alongside vegetables, fruits, and herbs, you can boost their growth, flavor, and pest resilience organically.

Best Companion Plants for Chamomile

Here are some top species to try pairing with chamomile in your garden:

Vegetables

• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Onions
• Potatoes
• Garlic

Fruits

• Apple trees
• Peach trees
• Citrus trees

Herbs

• Oregano
• Basil
• Mint
• Thyme
• Lavender
• Bee balm
• Catnip

Flowers

• Marigolds
• Cosmos
• Zinnias
• Daisies
• Sunflowers
• Bee balm

Aim to plant chamomile within a few feet of its companions. Intersperse small groups of 3-5 chamomile plants among the crops or border areas with chamomile. Its scent and presence will help boost plants all around it.

What Not to Plant with Chamomile

Most plants thrive near chamomile, but there are a couple exceptions:

• Carrots – Carrots and chamomile attract some of the same pests like carrot flies. Plant them apart to avoid concentrating the insects.

• Mint – Chamomile apparently inhibits mint’s essential oil production and diminishes its flavor. Keep mints in separate garden beds.

• Parsley – Like carrots, parsley shares pests with chamomile and should not be paired together.

• Parsnips – These have many mutual pests with chamomile as well and don’t make good bedfellows.

When planning your chamomile companion planting, avoid grouping it with other members of the carrot family listed above. Space those plants far from the chamomile patch.

Tips for Growing Chamomile as a Companion Plant

Here are some useful tips for effectively using chamomile as a companion plant:

• Choose disease-resistant vegetable and herb varieties to avoid issues spreading.

• Start seeds or transplants of slower-growing plants first before sowing chamomile.

• Space plants 12-24 inches apart and leave walkways between beds to allow airflow.

• Use rows or “islands” of chamomile bordering or interspersed among crops.

• Plant annual German chamomile each season for best pest protection. Perennial Roman chamomile also works well.

• Prune back any chamomile that becomes invasive or woody to encourage fresh growth.

• Add compost and organic matter when preparing garden beds to feed soil microbes.

• Weed diligently to prevent competition with companions. Mulch beds to suppress weeds.

Creative Ways to Include Chamomile in the Garden

With a little creativity, you can get even more benefits from chamomile companion planting:

• Grow potted chamomile on your deck or patio to deter mosquitoes while you lounge outdoors.

• Border your garden beds with a drift of Roman chamomile as an aromatic groundcover.

• Tuck chamomile among stepping stones to release fragrance when stepped on.

• Include chamomile in pollinator-friendly flower beds to support bees and beneficial insects.

• Scatter chamomile seeds over lawns as a non-flowering, drought-tolerant alternative grass.

• Add chamomile plants to container veggies on a patio or balcony.

Let your imagination run wild with ways to incorporate this pretty, pest-fighting herb all around your yard. Follow basic companion planting guidelines and chamomile is sure to boost the health of nearby plants. Soon you’ll enjoy a thriving, aromatic garden oasis.