What Is the Difference in the Looks of Daisies & Chamomile?

Daisies and chamomile flowers look similar when compared side-by-side, but the individual species have unique characteristics that make each flower stand on its own. Herbalists and other natural health practitioners often use chamomile for its medicinal properties, while daisies are usually only grown for their beauty. Both types of flowers grow naturally all across North America.

Chamomile flower petals fan straight outwards like daisies, but as the pollen buds grow taller, the petals begin to move downward, which makes the pollen puds look more pronounced. Sometimes daisy flower petals also tilt downward, but most species have petals that maintain their position. Chamomile flowers bloom in white, yellow and purple. Daisies bloom in a rainbow of colours, such as pink, peach, red, purple, orange, yellow, white, blue, green and bi-colours.

Daisy flower heads vary greatly in size, depending on the species. Some daisies have flower heads that measure 8 inches across, while other types are much smaller. Typically hybrids and exotic species such as African daisies are on the larger size. Chamomile flowers are usually 3 or 4 inches across.

Daisies have thick green stems and oblong or jagged-edged leaves and pointed tips. Most types of daisies grow 1 to 3 feet tall, depending on the species. Crazy daisies grow 2 to 3 feet tall, Becky daisies grow up to 3 feet and May Queen daisies grow 18 to 24 inches. African daisies generally grow up to 3 feet tall, but some hybrids can reach heights of up to 12 feet. Chamomile flowers have thin, short stems and pointy foliage. This flower usually only grows about 9 inches tall.

The pollen buds of most types of chamomile are much more pronounced compared to daisies. These pollen buds have a larger, more circular appearance that protrudes upwards, while daisy pollens buds are usually tight, flat and more compact. Both daisies and chamomile produce yellow or orange pollen buds. However, many daisy species, such as African daisies, also create purple, pink, red, brown, green, blue and peach buds.