How to Grow Calendula

Last Updated on February 5, 2023

The easiest way to grow calendula is by sowing it on open ground. Alternatively, you can start it from seeds indoors and replant them, which will allow you to enjoy cheery blooms earlier in the season.

Choosing calendula seeds

Calendula is propagated by seeds.  So, obviously, if you want to grow calendula you need to buy seeds to start.

For calendula seeds you have 3 options:

1. Buy organic seeds
2. Buy conventional seeds
3. Harvest seeds from your own calendula for planting the next year

If you are just starting out to grow calendula, then you have to decide between choices 1 and 2.

If you are planting calendula for medicinal uses or planning to use petals for salads or teas, then, preferably, go for organic calendula seeds. Once planted, you will be able to pick and store seeds for the next year from your own organic calendula plant.

If you plant calendula for decorative purposes, then it doesn’t matter much which seeds you use.

The other thing to consider when you are buying calendula seeds is what height of the plant you are looking for. Depending on the variety calendula plant height can range from 8″ to 27″.  Short calendula varieties will look good when planted in the borders. A tall variety with large flower heads can be used for cut flowers and bouquets.

Because calendula flowers come in various shades of yellow and orange color when getting  seeds be sure that you find a calendula variety with the color of your preference.

You can buy seeds from Home Depot, Lowes, grocery stores in spring time, or various seeds catalogs. Below are my favorite calendula seeds that can be obtained online from Amazon.

Calendula growing conditions

Calendula is an unpretentious flower that tolerates cold well and is easy to grow. The flower needs abundant light but will take partial shade. Calendula will do well in average soil. If you are planning for calendula to self-seed (more on that later in the article) then have a dedicated patch in the garden where soil will not be disturbed after seeds fell on the ground in the autumn.

If you are planning to grow calendula in pots – find a place for a pot where it will receive plenty of sunshine.

When and how to plant calendula

Calendula can be sown in open ground, transplanted from seedlings, or planted in a pot.

Planting calendula outdoors

The easiest way to grow calendula is by sowing seeds in open ground.

Calendula can be planted twice a year: in the spring  when the soil thaws and dries and the danger of frost passes, and in the autumn, before the onset of stable frost. If you plant calendula in fall – it will bloom next year.

For spring planting – sow calendula seeds directly outdoors in the garden in  April (after danger of frost has passed). The fall planting of calendula is done when the frost at night becomes regular but  the soils has not yet frozen.

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Starting calendula plants indoors

If you want to start your calendula from seedlings – sow seeds indoors from the end of February till the beginning of April. Water and cover after sowing so that the soil  will not dry up. After the emergence of shoots,  remove the cover. Seedlings require bright light and moderate watering.

Begin to harden the seedlings several days before planting in the open soil.  Hardening can be achieved by placing seedlings outside a few hours a day for one week before you intend to transplant them.

Calendula seedlings can be transplanted outside when outdoor temperature reaches 55-60 F and no more frost predicted in the forecast.

Calendula takes transplanting well, even during flowering time.

Growing calendula in pots

Calendula is suitable for container gardening and will grow well in a pot on your deck or patio. You can sow seeds in spring directly in the pot, or start indoors and transfer the seedling to the outdoor container later.

Spacing

Calendula flowers are suited for mass planting , as well as for single planting,

For mass planting  the seeds should be sown 3”apart, for a single planting in the flower beds allow 1 square foot for each plant.

Sow calendula seeds  1” deep. Seeds planted in spring should be watered with warm water. Seeds planted in autumn should not be watered.

Calendula seedlings will emerge in 5-7 days after sowing, and in a month the seedlings can be thinned if necessary.

Seasonal care

Growing calendula is easy. Since the calendula plant doesn’t require much care, all that you need to do is to keep the soil moist all summer long to ensure bountiful blooming, and do not let your calendula plants get overgrown  by weeds.

If fertilizers have been added to the soil in advance, then feed calendula with caution, not exceeding recommended amount.

Also, at the beginning of flowering, calendula plants can be sprinkled with a complex fertilizer containing boron. This micro element promotes long and luscious bloom.

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Companion planting

Calendula is great companion plant to use in strawberry bed because it repels nematodes. Also, you can plant calendula with asparagus to repel asparagus beetles.

Calendula will also attract a lot of beneficial insects and pollinators. You almost always can see bees zooming around calendula flowers. So, you can plant it close to the plants that require pollination in order to attract pollinators.

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Harvesting calendula

You can harvest petals, flower heads, and seeds from calendula plants.

Harvesting calendula flowers

To ensure the best healing properties harvest flowers in June, right after they have gotten fully opened.

Harvesting calendula petals

If you use petals for salads and seasoning or use them to make a tea – try to pick petals from newly opened flowers for a pleasant and mild taste: the older the flower – the more bitter the petals will taste.

Harvesting calendula seeds

Calendula seeds ripen at the end of summer – early in the autumn. At the beginning calendula seeds are green ( see photo above), they should be dark brown when you collect them.

Calendula seeds are curved and resemble the letter C (or kitty claws. So cute! )

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How to grow calendula