How to Grow and Care for Calendula (Pot Marigold)

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a short-lived perennial in warmer climates, but in cooler climate zones, it is usually grown as an annual flowering herb in garden beds and containers. Although commonly known as pot marigold, calendula is different from the common marigold (Tagetes spp.). It is, however, part of the Asteraceae family, along with daisies and chrysanthemums, and has a daisy-like appearance. It is planted in spring after the last frost and grows relatively quickly, flowering six to eight weeks from seeding.

While ancient cultures used calendula as a medicinal herb, today, gardeners grow these plants for their cheery flowers and profuse blooming habit. Calendula blooms from late fall through spring in mild climates and from spring to fall in colder regions. Though they most commonly are seen in varieties with yellow, orange, and red flowers, you can also find them in subtle shades of pink and cream, blooming from May to September.

How to Plant Calendula

Calendula is primarily an annual unless you live in hardiness zones 9 to 11, where it can be grown as a perennial. The best time to plant calendula is inearly spring after the frost has passed and the soil temperature is 60°F. When planting, space each calendula plant about 8 to 12 inches apart and space 18 inches between rows, as this will encourage better airflow.

Calendula is an excellent companion plant for a vegetable garden because it attracts pollinators such as bees and bumblebees, as well as beneficial insects. The bright blooms are a favorite of butterflies. Companion vegetable plants to calendula include Brussels sprouts, carrots, potatoes, pumpkins, and tomatoes. Flowering plants such as salvia, lavender, geranium, aster, roses, and mums also pair well with calendula.

Calendula Care

Calendulawill tolerate poor conditions but grows best when planted in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Calendula is a full sun plant, however, it's not a fan of sweltering hot temperatures and might start wilting in intense heat. Water calendula frequently until the plant is established. Once established,it doesn't need much water or fertilizer to grow. If planted in fertile soil, it does not need to be fed at all.

Light

Calendula generally prefers full sun, but it sometimes languishes during the hottest months unless it receives some afternoon shade. The plant will flower better in the sun and performs best in cooler temperatures.

Soil

Like most members of the daisy family, calendula needs well-drained soil high in organic material. Dense, wet soils can cause the roots to rot. This plant tolerates a wide range of soil pH but prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (6.0 to 7.0).

Water

Water frequently until the plants are established. Mature plants thrive on only occasional watering. Avoid too much water with these plants, but keep the soil moist.

Temperature and Humidity

Calendula prefers mild summer temperatures and may die away by the end of summer in very hot climates. A hard freeze will kill the plants. Three to four inches of mulch can protect the plants from cold temperatures.

Fertilizer

Calendula does not need much in the way of feeding. If planted in fertile garden soil, it requires no additional feeding at all. Marginal soils may require feeding with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, but over-feeding can make the plants leggy and spindly.

Container plants require monthly feeding with a diluted, balanced fertilizer.

Types of Calendula

There are numerous cultivars of Calendula officinalis. Popular varieties include:

• 'Pink Surprise': Features ruffled gold and yellow flowers, sometimes with pink edges and dark apricot centers.
• 'Touch of Red': Flowers are a mixture of orange and red shades with red-tipped petals.
• 'Greenheart Orange': Features flowers with orange petals surrounding lime-green centers; a very unusual-looking plant.
• 'Citrus Cocktail': A compact, short plant with yellow and orange flowers, this variety works well in containers.
• 'Dwarf Gem': A compact variety with double-petal blooms of orange, yellow, and apricot, this is another good variety for containers.
• 'Prince': A tall variety that is heat-tolerant, this type of calendula has orange and yellow blooms.
• 'Golden Princess': Bright yellow blooms with a contrasting black center are the star of this flower.

Harvesting Calendula

Although some people find the peppery taste somewhat bitter, the flowers and leaves of calendula can be used as edible flowers in salads and other recipes, either fresh or dried. The petals can also be used to create a rich yellow dye.

Collect calendula flowers in the late morning after the dew has dried. Pick flowers when they are fully open. To dry the flowers, spread out the cut flower heads on a screen in a dry, shady spot. Turn them occasionally until they are papery dry, then store them in canning jars until ready to use.

Harvesting Tip

Store glass canning jars with pot marigold flowers in a cool, dark, dry place out of sunlight or heat. If you are harvesting the seeds in canning jars, label the jar with the date—the seeds will keep for a couple of years.

How to Grow Calendula From Seed

Calendula is very easy to grow from seeds directly sown in the garden or containers, which easily germinate and sprout. Seeds collected from the flowers can be saved and replanted; the plants will also readily self-seed in the garden.

In the late summer or early fall, instead of deadheading your calendulas, leave the faded flowers on the plant until the petals have shriveled and fallen off and the remaining flower heads with the seeds have become dry and turned tan in color. These are the seeds you want to collect for starting the calendula from seed in the following spring.

1. Start calendula seeds indoors in a seed starter mix about six to eight weeks before the last frost date. Or, you can sow them directly into the garden just before the last spring frost date.
2. Plant calendula seeds 1/2-inch deep in the soil. Most plants bloom within two months of seeding. These plants very often self-seed in the garden; don't mistake the seedlings for weeds.
3. Water lightly until the seeds germinate. Once the plant is established, keep the soil moist.

Potting and Repotting Calendula

Although the "pot" in the common name "pot marigold" refers to this plant's traditional use in cooking, calendula is also commonly planted in pots, where it thrives. Most varieties grow well in containers, particularly shorter cultivars.

Use any well-draining, organic potting soil, or make a mixture with a blend of half garden soil and half compost. Make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes since this plant does not like to be soggy. Potted specimens need regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer.

How to Get Calendula to Bloom

Bloom Months

Calendula typically blooms in the spring and summer, from May to September.

What Do Calendula's Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Calendula can be found with yellow, orange, red, pink, and cream flowers that have a sweet, yet herb-like scent.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Pinching back young plants will promote more compact, bushy growth and prevent the plants from becoming leggy. Deadhead the old flowers to encourage reblooming.

Common Pests & Diseases

Calendula has no serious insect or disease problems. The plant can sometimes be susceptible to powdery mildew, which can be remedied by good air circulation.

Slugs and snails may feed on the plants, especially when they are young. Keep the ground clear of debris to minimize slug and snail damage. Aphids and whiteflies can sometimes be a problem. To control them, spray them with water or treat them with insecticidal soap.

From: thespruce