Chamomile is a versatile plant that can help improve the overall health of your garden. To maximize its potential, it’s essential to pair it with compatible companion plants.
Why is Companion Planting Important for Chamomile?
What is Chamomile?
First, let’s talk about chamomile. It is a herbaceous, perennial plant that belongs to the daisy family.
Its flowers are commonly used for medicinal purposes, and chamomile tea is a popular drink known for its calming effects.
What are Companion Plants?
Companion plants are plants that, when grown in close proximity, can enhance each other’s growth and health.
Companion planting involves choosing plants that are compatible with each other to create a thriving ecosystem in your garden.
What are the Benefits of Chamomile Companion Planting?
Chamomile companion planting offers several benefits. These include attracting pollinators, repelling pests, and improving the flavor of nearby vegetables.
In addition to that, planting other plants with chamomile can also help with pest and fungal infections.
What are Good Companion Plants for Chamomile?
Cucumber
Cucumber is an excellent companion plant for chamomile as they both have similar growing requirements.
Cucumbers also repel pests like ants and beetles and can improve the taste of nearby vegetables.
Basil
Basil is a great companion plant for many reasons. It attracts pollinators and repels pests such as mosquitoes and flies. It also enhances the growth and flavor of nearby vegetables.
Brassica
Brassica, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, are good companion plants for chamomile as they have similar nutrient requirements.
Brassica also repels pests such as aphids and cabbage loopers and attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs.
What Plants Should Not be Planted Near Chamomile?
Broccoli
Broccoli is a bad companion plant for chamomile as it attracts cabbage worms, which can damage chamomile plants. It’s best to keep these two plants separated.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is another vegetable that should not be planted near chamomile. They have similar nutrient requirements and can compete for resources, which can hinder each other’s growth.
Cabbage
Cabbage is also a bad companion plant for chamomile. Cabbage is susceptible to pests and diseases that can spread to chamomile plants.
How does Chamomile Companion Planting Benefit the Garden?
Attracting Pollinators
One of the significant benefits of chamomile companion planting is attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are essential for the production of fruits and vegetables in your garden.
Repelling Pests
Another benefit is that companion plants can help repel pests. For example, planting basil with chamomile can repel mosquitoes and flies. Cucumbers can help repel ants and beetles.
Improving the Flavor of Vegetables
Planting chamomile with certain vegetables can also improve their flavor. For example, growing chamomile with onions can make the onion taste less pungent.
What are the Types of Chamomile?
Roman Chamomile
Roman chamomile has a sweet, fruity aroma and is often used for its calming effects. It’s a low-growing plant that’s perfect for ground cover in your garden.
German Chamomile
German chamomile has a more bitter aroma and is often used for medicinal purposes. It’s taller than Roman chamomile and produces more significant flowers.
How are They Different?
While both types of chamomile have similar properties, they differ in terms of growth patterns, aroma, and flower size.
How Can Chamomile Companion Planting Help with Pest and Fungal Infections?
Aphids
Aphids are common pests in gardens. However, planting chamomile near aphid-prone vegetables such as peas, beans, and lettuce can repel and deter aphids from attacking these young plants.
Antifungal Properties
Chamomile has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that can help prevent fungal infections in nearby plants. Its essential oil can also be used to create a natural insecticide.
Essential Oil
The essential oil of chamomile is often used for medicinal purposes, and it can also be used as an insecticide.
Adding a few drops of chamomile essential oil to water can create a natural spray that repels pests.
FAQ
Q: What are the benefits of planting with chamomile?
A: Chamomile is a great plant to include in your garden bed as it can attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and tachinid flies.
It also releases nutrients into the soil as it decomposes, which can benefit nearby plants.
Q: Can chamomile be used as a companion plant?
A: Yes, chamomile is a great companion plant as it can benefit from and provide benefits to certain plants nearby.
Q: What plants pair well with chamomile?
A: Chamomile makes a great companion plant for brassica crops like broccoli and cauliflower, as well as cucumber, basil, and carrots.
Q: What plants do not benefit from chamomile?
A: Some plants do not grow well when paired with chamomile, including common plant enemies such as mint and brassicas like kale and turnips.
Q: What chamomile varieties are best for companion planting?
A: Some popular chamomile varieties for companion planting include German chamomile and Roman chamomile.
Q: How can I grow chamomile?
A: Chamomile is an easy plant to grow in a sunny location with well-draining soil. It can be grown from seeds or seedlings and requires regular watering, but be careful not to overwater.
Q: How does chamomile benefit other plants?
A: Chamomile releases nutrients into the soil as it decomposes, which can benefit nearby plants. It may also attract beneficial insects that can help control pests and improve pollination.
Q: What are some other plants that grow well with chamomile?
A: Chamomile and lavender make a great pair in an herb garden, and chamomile also benefits from being planted with plants like calendula and yarrow.
Q: Can I use chamomile as a companion plant for other crops?
A: Yes, chamomile can be used as a companion plant for other crops including tomatoes and peppers.
Q: Are there any plants that should not be planted near chamomile?
A: Chamomile doesn’t pair well with certain plants like mint, which may negatively affect its growth.
Conclusion
Chamomile is a great addition to any vegetable garden. When paired with compatible companion plants, it can maximize its potential and provide various benefits.
Planting incompatible plants may result in harmful effects, so it’s essential to do thorough research before choosing the right companion plants for chamomile.
