How to Grow Calendula
General Information
| Botanical Name: | Calendula officinalis |
| Common Names: | Calendula, pot marigold |
| Plant Family: | Asteraceae |
| Type: | Annual; Culinary; Medicinal; Aromatic; Cool Season to Mild Warm Season Grower depending on climate |
| Our Favorite Varieties: | For Medicinal Use: Resina and Orange Salad. For Beauty: Pink Surprise and Flash Back |
Know Before You Grow
| Growing Zones: | Usually grown as an annual in Zones 2–11 |
| Frost Hardy: | Yes, lightly frost tolerant |
| Heat Tolerant: | Moderate, but flowering and plant quality usually decline in prolonged heat |
| Stratification: | No |
| Rows, Beds, Containers: | Yes to all three. |
Starting from Seed
| When: | Start indoors 4–5 weeks before planting out, or direct sow after danger of frost. Successive sowings every 2–3 weeks can extend bloom season |
| Soil: | Seed Starting Mix |
| Depth: | 1/4″ |
| Water: | Keep evenly moist, not soggy |
| Germination: | 7–14 days |
| Up Pot: | Up pot when seedlings are large enough to handle and need more root room before transplanting |
| Light: | 14–16 hours under grow lights indoors; sun to part shade outdoors |
| Soil Temperature: | About 70°F |
| Heat Mat: | Helpful, but not required |
| Harden Off: | Yes, 7–10 days before transplanting outdoors |
Row, Bed, Container Prep
| Soil: | Rich, well-drained soil |
| pH: | About 6.0–7.0 |
| Soil Depth or Pot Size: | 6–8 inches of workable soil is enough; use an 8–10 inch pot or larger for one plant or small clump |
| Trellis: | no |
| Fertilizer/Feed: | Go light to moderate. Too much feeding can give you extra leafy growth and fewer flowers |
| Compost: | Mix in compost before planting |
Transplanting/Up Potting
| When: | Transplant after frost danger passes while weather is still cool to mild |
| How: | Transplant gently and keep the root ball intact as much as possible |
| Depth: | Same depth it was growing before |
| Spacing: | 6–12 inches apart |
| Water: | Water in well after transplanting and keep evenly moist while plants establish |
| Mulch: | Light mulch is fine once plants are established |
Direct Sowing
| When: | After danger of frost. Make 2–3 successive sowings 2–3 weeks apart for continuous blooms |
| Depth: | 1/4″ |
| Spacing: | Sow thinly, then thin to 6–12 inches apart |
| Water: | Keep the seed zone evenly moist until germination and establishment |
| Light: | Sun to part shade |
| # in Sq. Ft. Planting: | 1 for full-size plants; 4 for tighter planting with smaller plants |
Growing Care
| Fertilizer/Feed: | Feed lightly if needed. Too much fertility can reduce flowering |
| Days to Maturity: | About 50–60 days from seed for flowering |
| Water: | Water regularly, but do not keep the soil soggy |
| Pruning/Harvesting: | Deadhead often to keep blooms coming. Harvest flowers regularly for best production |
| Mulching: | Light mulch is fine, but do not keep the crown constantly wet |
| Pollination: | Not needed for flower harvest. Flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects |
Companions & Antagonists
| Plant Family: | Antagonists: |
| Brassicas | None |
| Tomatoes | – |
| Herbs | – |
Attracts & Repels
| Attracts: | Repels: |
| Pollinators and beneficial insects | Sometimes included in companion plantings for insect confusion, but no major specific repellent effect is strongly established |
Pests & Disease
| Pests: | Disease: |
| Aphids | Damping Off |
| Thrips | Powdery Mildew |
| Whiteflies | Leaf Spots |
| – | Root Rot |
| – | Fungal Issues |
Seed Saving
| When: | When flower heads dry and seeds mature on the plant |
| Method: | Let flower heads dry, cut them, dry more if needed, then rub or shake out the seed |
Harvest Time
| When: | Harvest flowers when they are fully open and fresh. For cut flowers, harvest at about 50% open. For edible use, harvest when fully open |
| How: | Snip flower heads or cut stems with flowers attached |
| What: | Flowers and petals |
| Storing: | Dry thoroughly out of direct sunlight with good airflow, then store airtight away from light |
| Preservation Methods: | Drying for tea, salves, infused oil, infused balm, bath blends, and petals for culinary use |
Medicinal Uses:
| Traditionally Used for: | Minor inflammations of the skin, minor wounds, minor mouth or throat irritation, and soothing irritated tissue |
| Forms: | Tea/infusion, tincture, wash, rinse, salve, infused oil, balm, poultice |
| Dosage or Application: | Traditionally used mostly as a topical herb. A traditional infusion for topical use is 1–2 g dried flowers in 150 mL water. The warm infusion may be used as a rinse, gargle, compress, or skin wash |
| NOTICE: | This information is based on historical/traditional fact. It is for educational purposes only. Lowe Bridges Farm will not be held liable for your use of this information. Your use of this information and the results thereof is your responsibility, and yours alone. |
Culinary Uses:
| Flavor Profile: | Mildly bitter, slightly peppery, lightly resinous |
| Best Used In: | Salads, rice, soups, teas, broths, butter, and as an edible garnish |
| Forms: | Fresh petals, dried petals, infused |
As an Aromatic:
| Used for: | Warm herbal-floral scent, skin-soothing blends, and soft comforting floral blends |
| How: | Dried flowers in sachets, bath blends, infused oils, salves, and dried floral mixes |
Troubleshooting
| Poor germination: | Keep the seed zone evenly moist and do not plant too deep |
| Leggy seedlings: | Not enough light |
| Plants collapse in wet soil: | Usually damping off or root rot |
| Lots of leaves but fewer blooms: | Too much fertilizer |
| Short bloom time: | Heat and drought can shorten flowering |
| Too much self-seeding: | Deadhead before seed fully matures |
