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Calendula Growing Guide

What is Calendula?

Commonly known as pot marigold, calendula is different from the common marigold, and instead more closely related to daisies and chrysanthemums. It grows relatively quickly, flowering six to eight weeks from seeding at 1-2 feet tall and wide. They are most commonly orange, but can also be red, yellow, pink, or cream.

How to Start Growing Calendula

Direct sow in early spring about 3 weeks before the last frost, and continue to sow every two to three weeks until early summer for fall flowers. Calendula can also be started indoors late winter for transplanting once daytime temperatures are steadily above 50°F. Germination occurs in about 6-14 days. Do not cover very small seeds, but tightly press into the earth. Keep in light shade to full sun.

Did You Know?

Calendula is October’s birth flower.

Our Favorite Calendula to Grow

Calendula Prince Mix
Calendula Prince Mix

Calendula Prince Mix

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Description

Be sure to check out our Calendula Growing Guide for more tips & tricks on successfully growing calendula in your garden.

Calendula Prince Mix is a cool-season flower that produces a beautiful blend of golden-yellow and orange blooms. Also known as pot marigold or Scotch Marigold, this Calendula mix was specifically bred for cut flower production. It has tall stems that are great for cut flowers, but also make a solid border plant. Plants produce mostly double blooms with some single blooms. Blooms are 2-3" in diameter with a beautiful texture and green to black centers. Calendula is the perfect option for attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects to your vegetable garden in spring or fall. These insects will increase your garden harvest and help to reduce your pest/disease pressure. Scotch marigolds are also known for being a natural repellent to certain garden pests including aphids and mosquitoes. The blooms also have several culinary and medicinal uses. The petals may be harvested for consumption or inclusion in salves for helping to heal minor cuts.

We recommend transplanting Calendula Prince Mix for best results. This flower variety grows great in our heavy-duty seed starting trays with Black Gold Seed Starting Mix. Plant one seed per cell and keep soil moist, but not over-saturated. Fertilize seedlings after the appearance of the first true leaves. Plants will be ready to transplant with they can be easily pulled from the cells in the seed tray. Calendula is a cool-season flower that performs best in early spring and fall. In spring, plant several weeks before the last frost date. In fall, plant several weeks before the first frost date. Place transplants 6-12" apart along the row. Calendula may be planted on single rows or double rows on drip irrigation. Prune blooms for continual performance throughout the growing season.

Calendula Prince Mix Planting Information

Planting Method: transplant

When to Plant: early spring and fall

Planting Depth: 1/4″

Seed Spacing: 6-12"

Row Spacing: 3-4'

Days to Maturity: 50

Disease Resistance: None

Full details

Calendula Plant Spacing

In-Ground Planting

Row Spacing - 3 to 4 feet

Plant Spacing - 8 to 10 inches

Planting Depth - 1/4 inch

Raised Bed Planting

Row Spacing - 3 to 4 feet

Plant Spacing - 8 to 10 inches

Planting Depth - 1/4 inch

Calendula Soil, Irrigation, & Fertilizer

Soil Requirements to Grow Calendula

  • Loose, well-draining soil
  • pH between 6.0 and 7.0
  • Rich in organic materials
  • Good quality compost added to the soil

Calendula Irrigation Requirements

Calendula plants need at least 1 inch of water per week. Using drip irrigation is always recommended to be sure that your plants are getting moisture directly to their root system. If you’re using conventional overhead watering techniques, try and use something like the Dramm Watering Can and water and fertilize at the base of the plant to keep moisture off the leaves.  

Raised Bed Fertilizer Schedule

Several Weeks Before Planting

Test your soil with the HOSS Soil Sample Kit.

At Time of Planting

After adjusting soil pH to 6.0 – 7.0, mix 1 1/2 cups per 10 ft. of row or ¼ cup per plant of Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer with your soil.

2 Weeks After Planting

1 cup Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement with 5 gallons of water. Each plant gets 1 quart of the solution next to the plant stem. Repeat every 4 weeks.

4 Weeks After Planting and Every 4 Weeks

¼ cup Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer per plant evenly spread around plant.

In-Ground Fertilizer Schedule

Several Weeks Before Planting

Test your soil with the HOSS Soil Sample Kit.

At Time of Planting

After adjusting soil pH to 6.0 – 7.0, mix 1 1/2 cups per 10 ft. of row or ¼ cup per plant of Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer with your soil.

2 Weeks After Planting

1 cup Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement with 5 gallons of water. Each plant gets 1 quart of the solution next to the plant stem. Repeat every 4 weeks.

4 Weeks After Planting and Every 4 Weeks

¼ cup Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer per plant evenly spread around plant.
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Calendula Pest & Disease Protection

Insects

Organic Controls

Horticulture Oil
Aphids, Flea Beetle, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Thrips

Bug Buster-O
Aphids, Flea Beetles, Whiteflies, Moths, Armyworms

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Caterpillars, Cabbage Loppers

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Aphids, Flea Beetle, Whiteflies, Moths

Diatomaceous Earth
Cutworms, Ants, Slugs

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Slugs

Treat as needed using label instructions.

Common Diseases

Organic Controls

Complete Disease Control
Gray Mold, Leaf Spots, Anthracnose, Powdery Mildew

Treat as needed using label instructions.

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Harvesting, Preserving, and Storing Calendula

When & How To Harvest Calendula

Harvest by deadheading often, as they will go to seed otherwise. Keep the petals dry; do not wash them. You may choose to pluck the petals to store, but it is not necessary to remove the petals from the heads. Hang stems in bundles of 5-6 stems or place heads or petals under a screen in a cool, dark, and dry place. You can also use an electric dehydrator indoors to dry the calendula. Use a temperature of 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit for about 24 hours. The petals will feel wispy and can fall from the heads easily once fully
dry. 

Storing & Keeping Calendula

Store dried calendula in glass jars with airtight seals or sealed plastic bags or under vacuum seal. Keep it out of the light. You can also make oil from the petals.

Come See Our Calendula!

Shop Calendula Seeds

Chamomile Growing Tips & Tricks

Best Time to Harvest

The best time of the day to harvest calendula blooms is mid-morning, when the dew has dried, but also when blooms are still fresh and daytime temperatures are still relatively low.

Temperature Sensitive

Calendula will not do well in the hot summer heat and prefers the cooler temperatures of spring and early fall. In fact, if planted in spring and depending on your location, it is possible the majority of the blooms will die off before the end of the summer. Harvest your blooms before it gets too hot, or let the last of the blooms dry out on the stem so they seed.

A Great Companion

Calendula is an excellent companion plant for a vegetable garden because it attracts pollinators such as bumblebees, as well as other beneficial insects. Also, the bright blooms are a favorite of butterflies.

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