Calendula (Pot Marigold)

How to Use Calendula?

• Calendula is a great choice for beds and borders, edgings, as a ground cover, or in mass plantings. It is also suitable for cut flower gardens and containers and looks great in the cottage garden.
• Calendula is a wonderful companion plant in the garden. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators and beneficial insects are drawn to the flowers, making them a useful addition to the vegetable garden.
• In addition, Calendula is a trap crop, trapping pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and thrips by exuding a sticky sap (resin) that they find more appealing and delicious than nearby vegetable crops.
• Calendula flowers can be harvested to make brightly colored bouquets. They can be used as a medicinal herb as they possess wound-healing and local anti-inflammatory properties.
• The leaves and petals of Calendula are edible. The leaves are often added to salads and the fresh petals can be used as a garnish or seasoning.
• Historically, calendula was known as ‘poor man’s saffron’ as it was used to color and flavor foods (butter, cheese, bread, cookies, soups, and rice dishes). Calendula petals are also used as a dye for fabric and hair. The pigment is used in the pharmaceutical industry to give a lovely color to some medicinal preparations.

When to Plant Calendula Flowers

• Seeds can be sown directly in the garden before the last frost date.
• Start seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost for earlier bloom.
• Successive sowings will provide fresh, blooming plants throughout the season.
• Calendula germinates quickly, sprouting within 5-10 days at 70-75°F (21-24°C) and blooming in about 2 weeks.

Where to Plant Calendula Flowers

• Calendula thrives in full sun (at least 6 hours of sunlight daily) in light, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Some afternoon shade is tolerated in hot summer areas.
• Calendula tolerates poor soils and dry soils but dislikes overly fertile and wet soils.
• Calendula is a great choice for beds and borders, edgings, as a ground cover, or in mass plantings. It is also suitable for cut flower gardens and containers and looks great in the cottage garden.
• Calendula is a good companion plant for cucumbers, tomatoes, peas, carrots, asparagus, beans, potatoes, pumpkins, or broccoli.
• Calendula is also mosquito repellent. Plant Calendula flowers in containers on patios, porches, near entrances, or seating areas where you want a mosquito-free zone.
• Calendula can be used as a cover crop or as a living mulch to protect the soil. When it dies back at the end of the season, it enriches the soil with biomass.

How to Plant Calendula Flowers

• When sowing directly into the garden, clear the area of weeds, then rake the surface to a fine, crumbly texture.
• Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep (1/2 cm) and make sure the seeds are fully covered by the growing media.
• Water thoroughly after planting.
• When the seedlings grow 3-5 in. tall (7-12 cm), thin them. Space them 6-12 inches apart (15-30 cm).
• Spread mulch to protect the plants from freezing temperatures.

Caring for Calendula Flowers

Water and Moisture

• Water regularly until the plants are established. Mature plants thrive on only occasional watering.
• Calendula dislikes wet soils.

Fertilizer

• Calendula does not need any fertilizer unless your soil is extremely poor.
• A general-purpose fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be incorporated into the soil at the time of planting.
• After planting, no extra fertilizer is necessary.
• Calendulas flower best when they are not heavily fertilized.

Deadheading

• Pinching back the early flower buds will help your Calendula to promote more branches and grow bushier.
• Deadhead regularly. This will promote more blooms and extend the flowering season.
• If the flowers are not deadheaded, the plants may self-sow.

Harvesting

• Calendula is an excellent choice for fresh bouquets and flower arrangements.
• Harvest at least twice a week. The more often you harvest, the more blooms you will get.
• Harvest Calendula stems any time after the blooms are halfway open. Flowers will continue to open and develop thereafter.
• Cut off the stem almost at ground level.
• Remove all foliage from the stem for maximum vase life. Place them immediately in water.
• Calendula flowers last 7 days in a vase.
• Calendula flowers can also be dried (in a well-ventilated area, away from sunlight)for various purposes, including making tea to apply to wounds and burns or to ingest in order to heal tissues of the mouth, throat, and digestive tract. Calendula tea can also help heal the skin (foot or leg ulcers), and provide antioxidants. In some cases, Calendula tea can cause mild irritation or an allergic reaction. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should stay away from calendula tea.

Propagating

• Calendula is propagated easily from seed.
• Allow some plants to produce mature seeds to scatter where you want to see calendula flowers next summer.
• At the end of the season, collect the seeds that have turned tan and dry.

Pest and Diseases

• Calendula has no serious pest or disease issues. However, some problems may occasionally occur:
• Snails and slugs may eat leaves, especially on young plants. Keep the soil free of leaf debris, and set out slug and snail traps.
• Aphids can be easily treated with horticultural soaps or oils.
• Powdery mildew can be avoided by providing good air circulation between plants.