Chamomile in USDA Zone 13 is a cool-season flower herb with a short, sweet season. Winter lows stay above 60°F and the zone is frost-free year-round, so there is no cold to worry about — the problem is heat. Chamomile is a small, delicate annual that flowers best in mild weather, and in Zone 13 warmth it grows fast, flowers early and finishes quickly. Grown in the coolest months, roughly November through February, it gives a generous crop of small, daisy-like flowers for tea. Grown in the hot season, it bolts to seed within weeks and gives you almost nothing to pick.
Chamomile is worth the narrow window. The flowers make a gentle, calming tea, the plant is pretty enough for the front of a bed, and it self-sows freely — a patch that flowers in the cool season will often scatter seed and come back on its own next year, in the spots it likes best. German chamomile is the common tea type, with small, sweet-scented flowers on feathery foliage.
Zone 13 at a glance
USDA Zone 13 is the hottest zone in the system, with average winter lows above 60°F, covering tropical places such as Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Guam. It is frost-free all year, so there is no last spring frost and no first autumn frost to plan around. Zone 13 has no frost dates to work from, so plant by heat and by the wet and dry seasons instead. These are zone averages, not promises for any one garden — check your local extension service.
| Detail | Zone 13 guidance |
|---|---|
| Winter low | Above 60°F |
| Frost | Frost-free year-round (no last or first frost dates) |
| Days to germination | 7–14 days |
| Days to maturity | 60–90 days |
| Sowing | both |
| Planting window | Coolest months only, roughly November–February |
| Harvest | 60–90 days after sowing; pick flowers as they open |
| Sun | full sun |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.0 |
| Spacing | 6–12 inches |
| Water needs | moderate |
| Cold tolerance | hardy |
When to plant chamomile in Zone 13
Sow chamomile only in the coolest months, roughly November through February, and sow a small patch every few weeks so you have flowers coming on in succession. With 60–90 days to maturity, a November sowing is flowering in January, and successive sowings carry the harvest through the cool season. Do not sow chamomile in the hot months: it will germinate, bolt and set seed within weeks. The planting calendar hub shows the Zone 13 year, and December in Zone 13 is the heart of the chamomile window.
Starting chamomile in Zone 13
Sow chamomile direct where it is to grow, or start it in trays and transplant the seedlings out while they are still small — it handles both, though direct sowing is simpler. Scatter the tiny seed on the surface of moist soil and barely cover it, since chamomile seed needs light to germinate, and keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings appear. Germination takes 7–14 days, and the seedlings are delicate, so protect them from pounding rain in the first week and keep the bed weeded. Thin seedlings to 6–12 inches apart once they are big enough to handle, and give young plants light shade in the hottest part of the day if you can.
Soil, spacing, sun and water
Chamomile grows best in full sun in cooler zones, but in Zone 13 a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade gives a longer flowering season before the heat finishes the plant. It likes light, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0, and it does not need rich soil — too much fertiliser makes leafy plants with few flowers. Dig in a little well-rotted compost, and test the soil through your local extension service rather than guessing. Space plants 6–12 inches apart so air can move between them, using the plant spacing calculator to plan the bed. Chamomile needs moderate water: steady, even moisture keeps it flowering, and a plant that dries out bolts even faster. Water gently at the base in the morning and mulch lightly to keep the soil cool and moist.
Companion planting
Good companions for chamomile include tomatoes, peppers, marigolds and cabbage, and chamomile is a popular companion plant in its own right — its flowers attract beneficial insects, and gardeners plant it at the edges of vegetable beds for that reason. Mint in its own pot nearby makes a good tea-garden partner, and lavender shares the same drying routine for the flowers, even though it is a much harder plant in the tropics.
Pests and problems
The common pests to watch for with chamomile are aphids, slugs and thrips. Inspect the small flowers and leaves regularly, wash aphids off with a gentle jet of water, and pick slugs by hand in the evening. The pest identifier helper can help if you are unsure what you are seeing. In Zone 13, heat and humidity are the bigger threats: a plant that dries out bolts early, and wet, crowded foliage invites disease. Steady water, light shade, room for air to move and picking the flowers often keep a chamomile patch healthy, and a patch that finishes in the heat can be left to set seed and self-sow for the next cool season.
Harvest and storage
Harvest chamomile by picking the flowers as they open, starting about 60–90 days after sowing, and pick in the morning, when the flowers are fresh and fragrant. Take the whole flower head, pinching it off with a short piece of stem, and pick little and often — regular picking encourages the plant to make more flowers. For tea, dry the flowers in a single layer in a dry, airy place out of direct sun, turning them once or twice; in humid Zone 13 air, good airflow is essential, and a damp batch will go mouldy before it dries. Once fully dry and papery, store the flowers in a sealed jar in a cool, dark place. Leave a few flowers on the plant to set seed, and the patch may self-sow for the next cool season. Lemongrass makes a good tea-garden partner in the warm months, when the chamomile season is over.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant chamomile in Zone 13?
Only in the coolest months, roughly November through February. A November sowing flowers in about 60–90 days, and successive sowings carry the harvest through the cool season.
Why does my chamomile bolt so fast in Zone 13?
Heat. Chamomile is a cool-season annual, and warm weather pushes it to flower and set seed quickly.
What soil and spacing does chamomile need in Zone 13?
Morning sun and afternoon shade, light well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0, spaced 6–12 inches apart.
How do I dry chamomile flowers in a humid climate?
Pick in the morning, spread the flowers in a single layer in a dry, airy place out of direct sun, and turn them once or twice.