Live calendula plant (Calendula officinalis) in a 3-4 inch pot. Plant sizes vary. Certified organic.

Easy to grow and attractive, calendula or Calendula officinalis is an herb garden essential for its beauty and medicinal properties. It’s sometimes called pot marigold, garden marigold, or common marigold; even though it’s not a marigold, it’s a member of the Asteraceae or daisy family.

Herbalists favor this strain of calendula as a medicinal plant because it contains the highest amount of resin. Some studies have shown that calendula may have anti-inflammatory properties. Herbalists use calendula flowers to create salves and tinctures to treat localized skin issues, including acne, scrapes, and rashes.

Calendula is also a culinary herb, perfect for the edible flower garden. You can use this edible flower as a saffron substitute, natural decoration for baked goods, or to create natural dyes. You can use calendula flowers to dye food, cosmetics, and fabrics.

How to Grow Calendula Plants

Transplant your calendula into the garden or move outdoors after all chance of frost has passed. Calendula plants will tolerate poor conditions but grow best in fertile, well-drained soil with high organic matter levels. Water regularly and keep the soil moist while your calendula plant gets established. After this, occasional watering is sufficient.

To harvest calendula for medicinal, culinary, or craft purposes, you’ll want to harvest just fresh blooms. Clip or pinch the calendula flowers off just below the head. You can dry them for later use. Deadhead spent calendula flowers to encourage a longer bloom period.

• Annual

• Light: Full Sun-Partial Shade

• Soil: Well-Drained, High Organic Matter

• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0

• Mature Size: 1-2 Ft. Tall, 1-2 Ft. Wide

• Bloom Period: Spring, Summer, Fall

• Medicinal