Stinking Chamomile: A Misunderstood Wildflower You Probably Don’t Want in Your Garden
If you’ve ever encountered a small, daisy-like flower that made you wrinkle your nose in disgust, you’ve likely met stinking chamomile (Anthemis cotula). Despite its charming appearance, this little white flower lives up to its unflattering common name with a pungent odor that’s anything but pleasant. Let’s explore why this non-native annual might not be the best choice for your garden—and what you should know about it anyway.
What Is Stinking Chamomile?
Stinking chamomile is an annual forb, meaning it’s a non-woody flowering plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Originally from Europe and western Asia, this plant has made itself quite at home across North America, spreading to virtually every state and province from Alaska to Hawaii.
The plant produces small white flowers with bright yellow centers that look remarkably similar to chamomile or small daisies. Each flower head measures about half an inch across and appears from late spring through fall. But here’s the catch—crush any part of this plant, and you’ll be hit with an intensely unpleasant, acrid smell that’s been described as everything from fetid to nauseating.
Where Does It Grow?
This adaptable little troublemaker has established itself across an impressive range, growing in all U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and even Alaska and Hawaii. It thrives in disturbed soils, agricultural areas, roadsides, and waste places—basically anywhere the soil has been disturbed and other plants haven’t had a chance to establish themselves firmly.
Growing Characteristics and Habitat
Stinking chamomile is remarkably unfussy about its growing conditions, which partly explains its widespread success as a naturalized plant. Here’s what you should know about its preferences:
- Soil: Thrives in poor, disturbed soils including sandy, gravelly, or clay conditions
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun locations
- Water: Drought tolerant once established
- Hardiness: As an annual, it can grow across USDA zones 3-10
- Wetland status: Primarily grows in non-wetland areas but may occasionally appear in wetlands
Should You Plant Stinking Chamomile?
Here’s the short answer: probably not. While stinking chamomile isn’t officially listed as invasive or noxious in most areas, it behaves like a weed for several compelling reasons:
- The smell: That notorious odor makes it unpleasant to have near outdoor living spaces
- Aggressive spreading: It reproduces readily by seed and can quickly colonize disturbed areas
- Limited benefits: While it does provide some food for terrestrial birds (though only 2-5% of their diet), there are many better options for wildlife support
- Weedy nature: It tends to pop up where you don’t want it rather than staying put where you planted it
Wildlife and Pollinator Value
Despite its drawbacks, stinking chamomile does offer some ecological value. The flowers attract small bees, flies, and other tiny pollinators, though it’s not considered a significant pollinator plant. Birds may occasionally eat the seeds, but it represents only a small portion of their diet and provides minimal cover value.
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of planting stinking chamomile, consider these native alternatives that offer similar daisy-like flowers without the downsides:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – Aromatic in a good way and beloved by pollinators
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia species) – Cheerful yellow flowers that birds and pollinators adore
- Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Stunning flowers with excellent wildlife value
- New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) – Late-season blooms that support migrating butterflies
If You Encounter It
You’re more likely to find stinking chamomile growing wild than to deliberately plant it. If it appears in your garden uninvited (which it probably will at some point), you can simply pull it up—just be prepared for that distinctive smell! Since it’s an annual, preventing it from going to seed will stop it from returning next year.
The Bottom Line
While stinking chamomile might look pretty from a distance, its unpleasant odor, weedy habits, and limited ecological benefits make it a poor choice for intentional cultivation. Your garden—and your nose—will be much happier with native alternatives that provide better wildlife support without the stink factor. Save your gardening efforts for plants that will truly enhance your outdoor space and support local ecosystems effectively.
