German vs Roman Chamomile: What's the Difference and Which One Do You Want?
Two different plants share the name chamomile, and they are easy to confuse. German chamomile and Roman chamomile look similar, smell similar, and are both used to make a calming tea, but they are separate species with different growth habits, flavours, and best uses. If you have ever wondered which one you are buying, growing, or brewing, this guide sorts it out. The short version: the chamomile in most teacups is German.
Both belong to the daisy family (Asteraceae), which is part of why they can be mistaken for each other and for a handful of wild look-alikes. At La Ferme À Ciel Sur Mer we grow German chamomile, the annual type prized for tea, and the differences below are the reason why. If you drink chamomile mainly to unwind, our guide to chamomile tea for anxiety, stress, and calm covers that side in depth.
German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
German chamomile is an annual that grows upright and branching, typically reaching somewhere between 30 and 90 cm in a season, with fine, feathery, fern-like foliage. Its flowers have white petals around a yellow centre that is raised and hollow, almost cone-shaped, which is one of the clearest ways to recognize it. It grows, flowers, and sets seed all in one year, and it self-seeds freely.
This is the workhorse of the chamomile world and the one grown commercially for tea and herbal preparations. Its essential oil is notably rich in chamazulene, the compound that turns the distilled oil a deep blue and carries much of chamomile's soothing reputation. When a recipe, a tea, or a herbalist simply says "chamomile," German chamomile is almost always what is meant.
Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Roman chamomile, sometimes called English chamomile, is a low-growing perennial. Instead of standing upright, its stems creep along the ground and form a dense, fragrant mat, which is why it is often planted as a scented ground cover or a chamomile "lawn." Its foliage is a little thicker and more substantial than German chamomile's, and its flower centres tend to be flatter and more solid.
Roman chamomile returns year after year from the same roots. Brewed as a tea it tends to taste more bitter than the mellow, sweeter German. Its essential oil contains little azulene, so it is clear rather than blue, and it carries a sweet, apple-like aroma that makes Roman a favourite in aromatherapy and as a fragrant ground cover. For a mild, everyday cup, though, most people reach for German.
The Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | German Chamomile | Roman Chamomile |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Matricaria chamomilla | Chamaemelum nobile |
| Life cycle | Annual (self-seeds) | Perennial |
| Growth habit | Upright, branching, 30–90 cm | Low, creeping mat |
| Flower centre | Raised, hollow, cone-like | Flatter, more solid |
| Flavour | Mild, sweet, apple-like | More bitter to drink |
| Essential oil | Blue, high chamazulene | Clear, low azulene |
| Common use | Drinking tea, herbal preparations | Ground cover, aromatherapy |
Which One Is in Your Tea?
If you are buying dried chamomile flowers for tea, they are almost certainly German. It is the species grown at scale for the tea trade, its mild sweetness suits daily drinking, and its raised, easy-to-gather flower heads make it practical to harvest in quantity. Roman chamomile can be brewed, but its more bitter character makes it a less common choice for a gentle cup.
Our farm-dried Organic chamomile is German chamomile, harvested at peak bloom and dried at low heat. If you want to get the most out of the flowers once you have them, see our guide to making chamomile tea.
Telling Chamomile From Its Look-Alikes
Both true chamomiles have a few wild relatives that can fool the eye. Pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea) is a close cousin, but its flower heads are all yellow cone and have no white petals at all, and its crushed leaves smell distinctly of pineapple. It is edible and chamomile-like, just different in appearance.
The one to know is stinking mayweed, also called stinking chamomile (Anthemis cotula). It does have the white-petalled, yellow-centred daisy flowers that resemble chamomile, but it gives off a sharp, unpleasant smell when crushed rather than a sweet one, and it can irritate the skin. Scentless chamomile (Tripleurospermum) is another daisy-like look-alike, told apart by its lack of any strong scent. The reliable tests for true German chamomile are the sweet, mild aroma and the raised, hollow yellow centre of the flower.
How We Grow German Chamomile
We grow German chamomile at La Ferme À Ciel Sur Mer because it is the right plant for a good cup of tea: mild, sweet, and generous with its flowers. On our certified Organic farm in Quebec we sow it fresh each spring, hand-harvest the flowers at peak bloom, and dry them gently to protect their colour and aroma. If you would like to grow your own, our guide to growing chamomile covers seed to harvest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is German or Roman chamomile better for tea?
German chamomile is the usual choice for drinking tea. Its flavour is milder and sweeter, while Roman chamomile is more bitter. Both can be brewed, but the chamomile sold for tea is almost always German.
What is the main difference between German and Roman chamomile?
German chamomile is an upright annual grown mainly for tea, with a raised hollow flower centre and a blue, chamazulene-rich essential oil. Roman chamomile is a low, creeping perennial used as a ground cover and in aromatherapy, with a flatter flower and a clear oil.
Which chamomile do you grow?
We grow German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), the annual type valued for its mild, sweet flavour and its suitability for tea.
Are German and Roman chamomile related?
They are both members of the daisy family (Asteraceae) and share a similar look and scent, but they are different species in different genera, not simply two varieties of one plant.
Is chamomile the same as a daisy?
Chamomile is a member of the daisy family, so the resemblance is real. That family relationship is also why people with allergies to daisies, ragweed, or related plants should be cautious with chamomile.
How can I tell true chamomile from a look-alike?
True German chamomile has white petals around a raised, hollow yellow centre and a sweet, mild scent. Look-alikes such as stinking mayweed smell sharp or unpleasant, and pineapple weed has no white petals at all.
Want to learn more? Check out our other guides on chamomile:
Enjoyed this guide? Join our newsletter for growing tips, herbal recipes, and stories from La Ferme À Ciel Sur Mer, our certified Organic herb farm in Quebec.