Daisies vs Chamomile: What Is The Difference?

Do you know how to differentiate between these two flowers? Let’s find out. 
Which of these flowers are daisies? Think long and hard. 🧐

Do you think you guessed correctly? If you did not, that’s okay. Telling these two flowers apart can be tricky. People often confuse chamomile and daisies due to their similarity, and if you are reading this article, you are probably ‘most people’. Fret not flower lovers, Luna Floral Atelier is here to the rescue!

Let's embark on an exciting journey to learn how to distinguish between these beautiful flowers in today's journal entry. Spoiler alert: it is not as hard as you might think.

Get To Know Daisies

First up, we have daisies. If we want to get technical, the word ‘daisy’ actually refers to a large group of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family. Did you know that there are over 30,000 species of daisies? To make it easier and avoid confusion, we will compare the common daisy with chamomile in this article.

Whenever one hears or sees the word ‘daisy’, the image that pops up in their head is a tiny flower with a round yellow centre and delicate white petals surrounding it. While this is true, daisies also come in a rainbow of colours, such as yellow, pink, red, purple, orange, blue, green, peach and even bi-colours! 

Daisy flower heads vary in size depending on the species. Some daisies have bigger flower heads (up to 4 inches in diameter), while others are smaller. Common daisies grow in clusters close to the ground and usually reach a height of only 2 inches. 

Additionally, daisies typically have multiple layers of petals, a distinguishing feature that helps identify whether a flower is a daisy or a chamomile. Many daisies, particularly common daisies, have leafless stems. 

Another easy way to differentiate daisies is by their scent. Common daisies have a more delicate fragrance in comparison to chamomile.

Get To Know Chamomile

Do you love tea? If you have ever visited a grocery store or simply enjoy drinking tea regularly, you have likely come across chamomile tea. This delightful herbal tea is renowned for its soothing properties and is best enjoyed before bed as it can significantly improve sleep.

Earlier, we mentioned that ‘daisy’ is a botanical term for the plant family Asteraceae. So, does chamomile fall under the same plant family? Yes, it does. However, there are only two different classifications for chamomile: German chamomile and Roman chamomile.

The primary contrast between German and Roman chamomile lies in their life spans. Roman chamomile is a perennial plant that regrows each spring, whereas German chamomile is an annual plant that blooms for just one year. Additionally, Roman chamomile is slightly smaller than German chamomile, which has the potential to grow up to 50 cm in height.

Chamomile flowers differ from daisies in a few ways. Unlike daisies, chamomile flowers have single-layer petals and only come in white with a tubular yellow centre. In terms of their stems, chamomile flowers have long, slender stems with spindly leaves. 

When it comes to scent, chamomile emits a slightly stronger and more distinct aroma compared to the subtle scent of daisies. The fragrance of chamomile flowers is often described as grassy, fresh, and sometimes even sweet.

Differences Between Daisies And Chamomile

The main difference between daisies and chamomile lies in how they are used. 

Daisies are primarily used for decorative purposes, beautifying gardens and flower arrangements. In contrast, chamomile serves both decorative and practical uses. It is well-known for its use in herbal teas and traditional remedies.

Here are the summarised characteristics of daisies and chamomile.

Okay, let’s try this again. Which one of these flowers are daisies? 

If you guessed the second photo, congratulations! Now you can show off your skill in distinguishing between these cute flowers to your family and friends.

Conclusion

Whether you are trying to recognise a flower outdoors or seeking inspiration for your next phone wallpaper or photography ideas on Pinterest, understanding the distinctions between daisies and chamomile can deepen your appreciation for the beauty of these flowers.

Bring home your lovely bunch of daisies or chamomile today or explore our collection for equally beautiful flowers!

Loving flower facts like this one? Check out our Flower Journal for more. We also share flower facts, tips, and other useful floral tidbits on our socials at @lunafloral.my. For enquiries, contact our team here or via WhatsApp at +60149134145.