Plants That Look Like Chamomile

If you love the cheerful look of chamomile flowers in your garden, you’re not alone. Many gardeners seek out plants that look like chamomile to create a similar, relaxed feel. These daisy-like blooms bring a touch of wildflower charm to any space, but it can be tricky to tell them apart. This guide will help you identify the most common look-alikes and show you how to grow them successfully.

Knowing what you have is important, especially if you plan to harvest for tea. True chamomile has specific uses, while its look-alikes might be purely ornamental or even cause allergies. Let’s look at some beautiful alternatives and twins.

This group of flowers shares the classic composite flower structure: a central disc surrounded by ray petals. Here are the most common ones you’ll encounter.

1. German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

This is the true chamomile for herbal tea. Its identifying features are key to comparing other plants.

Flowers: Small white petals surrounding a bright yellow, conical disc that becomes hollow when you slice it open.
Foliage: Feathery, fine, and fern-like leaves.
Scent: Produces a distinct, sweet apple-like fragrance when crushed.
Growth: An annual that readily self-seeds.

2. Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Often confused with its German cousin, Roman chamomile is a different plant. It’s a low-growing perennial often used as a fragrant lawn substitute.

Flowers: Similar white and yellow flowers, but the central disc is more flat and solid.
Growth Habit: Creeping, mat-forming perennial.
Scent: Also aromatic, but slightly more bitter.

3. Pineapple Weed (Matricaria discoidea)

This is a common wild plant that often gets overlooked. It lacks the white petals but is a close relative.

Flowers: Greenish-yellow, dome-shaped cones without any white ray petals.
Scent: When crushed, it gives off a lovely pineapple scent.
Habitat: Often found compacted soil, like driveways and paths.

4. Scentless Chamomile (Tripleurospermum inodorum)

As the name suggests, this is the imposter with no fragrance. It looks very similar but is not used in herbalism.

Key Difference: Crush the leaves or flowers—they have little to no scent.
Flowers: Larger flower heads on more branched stems.
Leaves: Leaves are thicker and less feathery than true chamomile.

5. Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

This perennial wildflower is much larger but shares the same color pattern.

Size: Flowers are significantly bigger, often 2-3 inches across.
Leaves: Dark green, spoon-shaped leaves at the base.
Growth: Forms tall, sturdy clumps and can be somewhat aggressive.

6. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

A popular medicinal herb in its own right, feverfew is often mistaken for chamomile.

Flowers: Denser clusters of smaller daisy-like flowers with a more “button-like” appearance.
Leaves: Leaves are broader, light green, and have a sharp, citrusy odor.
Uses: Traditionally used for migraine prevention, not for calming tea.

7. English Daisy (Bellis perennis)

This low-growing lawn daisy is a familiar sight. It’s flowers are usually smaller and the plant forms a tight rosette.

Habitat: Commonly found in short grass and lawns.
Flowers: Petals can sometimes be tinged with pink or red.
Leaves: Small, spoon-shaped leaves growing close to the ground.

How to Tell Them Apart: A Simple Guide

Use this quick three-step check when you’re unsure what you’re looking at.

Smell It: Crush a flower or leaf. A sweet apple scent points to German or Roman chamomile. No scent means it’s likely scentless chamomile or a simple daisy.
Look at the Center: Is the yellow center cone hollow? This is a key sign of true German chamomile. A solid disc is common in others.
Check the Leaves: Fine, feathery foliage suggests chamomile. Broader, thicker leaves belong to other plants like feverfew or oxeye daisy.

Growing Your Own Daisy-Like Flowers

Most plants in this family are wonderfully easy to grow. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Here’s a basic planting guide.

Sunlight: Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
Soil: They thrive in moderately fertile soil that isn’t too rich. Poor soil often produces more flowers.
Watering: Water regularly to establish young plants, but mature plants are quite drought-tolerant.
Sowing Seeds: Many, like German chamomile, can be sown directly in the garden in early spring or fall. Just scatter seeds and lightly rake them in.

Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, will encourage more blooms throughout the season. Let a few flowers go to seed at the end of the year if you want them to naturally reseed. Be aware that some, like oxeye daisy, can spread vigorously if left unchecked.

Using Chamomile and Its Look-Alies

It is crucial to correctly identify any plant before using it internally. Only use German or Roman chamomile for tea if you are 100% certain of your identification.

For Tea: Harvest German chamomile flowers when they are fully open. Dry them in a cool, dark place.
In the Landscape: Use the taller varieties like feverfew or oxeye daisy in cottage gardens or wildflower meadows. Use low-growing Roman chamomile between stepping stones.
As Companion Plants: These flowers attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps, which help control pests.

Potential Problems to Watch For

While generally trouble-free, a few issues can pop up. Overwatering is the most common cause of failure, leading to root rot. Ensure your soil drains well. Aphids may occasionally bother new growth; a strong spray of water usually dislodges them.

Also, some people with ragweed allergies may react to chamomile. It’s always wise to try a small amount first if you’re new to using the herb. Remember, scentless chamomile and other look-alikes have no herbal value and should not be consumed.

FAQ: Chamomile Look-Alikes

What are common flowers mistaken for chamomile?
The most common are scentless chamomile, feverfew, and pineapple weed. Oxeye daisy is also mistaken due to its similar color pattern.

How can I be sure I have real chamomile?
Perform the smell and hollow cone tests. True German chamomile will have a sweet apple scent and a hollow yellow center when sliced vertically.

Is false chamomile poisonous?
“Scentless chamomile” is not considered poisonous, but it is not used for tea and may cause stomach upset or allergic reactions in some individuals. Correct identification is essential.

Can I make tea from any daisy-like flower?
No, you should not. Only use plants you have positively identified as German or Roman chamomile for tea. Many look-alikes have no known benefits and could be harmful.

What is the best chamomile look-alike for a lawn?
Roman chamomile is the classic choice for a fragrant, low-growing lawn alternative. It tolerates light foot traffic and releases its scent when walked on.

Adding plants that look like chamomile to your garden is a wonderful way to extend the blooming season and support pollinators. By learning their small differences, you can enjoy their beauty confidently and safetly. Whether you want a tea garden or a carefree meadow, there’s a perfect daisy-like flower for your space.