Chamomile, known for its small, daisy-like flowers and soothing herbal properties, is a rewarding plant to grow. Whether cultivating the upright, annual German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) or the low-growing, perennial Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), regular trimming is an important practice. This maintenance technique helps maintain the plant’s health and ensures the maximum yield of fragrant blooms used for tea and aromatherapy. Consistent intervention prevents the plant from becoming straggly, allowing it to focus energy on producing fresh flowers throughout the growing season.
Understanding the Purpose of Pruning
Pruning redirects the plant’s energy away from seed production and into vegetative growth and flower development. When old flowers are left, the plant shifts resources to setting seed, which signals the end of the flowering cycle. Removing these spent blooms encourages the production of new buds, significantly extending the overall flowering season.
Pruning also addresses the plant’s physical structure, encouraging a denser, bushier growth habit. Without trimming, chamomile tends to become “leggy,” resulting in long, thin stems that flop over and produce fewer flowers. Regular cuts promote branching, creating a more compact plant that is less prone to disease due to improved air circulation. For German chamomile, removing flowers before they mature also prevents unwanted self-seeding in the garden.
Optimal Timing for Chamomile Cuts
The timing of cuts depends on whether you are performing routine maintenance or a major structural cut. Deadheading, which involves removing individual spent flowers, should occur continuously throughout the blooming period, typically from early summer into the fall. This constant removal encourages successive flushes of blooms.
A larger cutback, sometimes referred to as the “chamomile haircut,” is best performed after the first major flush of flowers, usually in mid-summer. This cut rejuvenates the plant, stimulating a second, robust wave of growth and flowering.
For perennial Roman chamomile, a final, substantial cutback is recommended in late fall to prepare the plant for winter dormancy by removing dead or weak foliage. Annual German chamomile can be cut back to the ground at the end of the season or left to drop seed for next year’s growth.
Step-by-Step Technique for Deadheading and Cutbacks
The physical action of cutting requires using clean, sharp tools, such as fine garden snips or sharp scissors, to ensure a clean cut. This minimizes damage and reduces the risk of introducing disease.
Deadheading Technique
For simple deadheading, remove only the faded flower head and a minimal portion of the stem. Make the cut just above the nearest set of healthy leaves or a visible, new bud. This is the point where the plant will initiate its next growth point.
Major Cutback Technique
When performing a major cutback to rejuvenate the plant, the technique is more aggressive. You will be reducing the overall size of the plant to stimulate a fresh growth cycle. A general guideline for this mid-season trim is to remove about one-third of the plant’s height, cutting back straggly stems to where the foliage is still dense and green.
For upright German chamomile, cut the entire plant back by approximately four to five inches above the soil line. This encourages significant branching and a new flush of flowers.
Roman chamomile, a low-growing perennial used as a groundcover, requires a different approach for its structural trim. To maintain its dense, mat-forming habit, the mid-season cut should be less severe, often involving just a light shearing across the top layer of foliage. For the late fall cutback, Roman chamomile should be trimmed to about two to three inches above the ground, leaving a small crown of foliage to protect the plant’s roots through the winter. Always avoid cutting more than half of the plant’s total mass at any single time, as this can overly stress the herb.