How to Plant and Grow Calendula

Calendula is a beautiful flower that can be quickly grown in your garden. With just a little care, you can have a stunning display of these cheerful flowers in no time. Here are a few tips on planting and growing calendula in your garden.

Planting Time:

Spring.

Blossoming Time:

Summer.

Propagation:

From seed or cuttings.

Sun:

Full sun.

Temperature:

Between 50°F and 68°F (10 – 20 °C).

Soil:

Well-drained soil.

Watering:

Water regularly.

Fertilize:

Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer.

Uses:

Calendula is commonly used in herbal teas, salves, and ointments.

How to grow calendula in the garden

1. Buy Calendula seeds.
2. Before planting, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours.
3. Choose a sunny spot in the garden with well-drained soil.
4. Loosen the soil with a spade or hoe and mix in some compost.
5. Sow the seeds thinly, about 1/4 inch deep.
6. Firm the soil gently with your hand and water well.
7. Keep the soil moist but not wet until the seeds germinate, which should happen within 10-14 days.
8. Once the seedlings emerge, thin them out so that they have enough space to grow.
9. Water regularly and fertilize monthly.
10. When the plants are about 6 inches tall, start picking the leaves for use in salads, soups, or other dishes.
11. To encourage more blooms, cut back the plants by about half their size after the first flush of flowers.
12. Deadhead spent flowers to keep the plants tidy and encourage more blooms.
13. Calendula will self-seed readily, so you may not need to sow new seeds every year.

In the following, I will cover each step in a little more detail.

1. Buy Calendula seeds.

Some places where Calendula can be bought are at health food stores, online, and at pharmacies.

The best place to buy Calendula is probably online because there is a larger selection and it is often cheaper.

2. Before planting, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours.

Calendula seeds need to soak before planting because they need to absorb water in order to germinate.

If the seeds are not soaked in advance, they will not be able to absorb enough water and will not be able to germinate.

3. Choose a sunny spot in the garden with well-drained soil.

Calendula prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant plant, but it will produce more flowers if given regular water.

4. Loosen the soil with a spade or hoe and mix in some compost.

To prepare the soil in the garden for Calendula, first, remove any weeds and loosen the top layer of soil with a rake.

Then, add some organic matter to the soil to help retain moisture and improve drainage.

Finally, smooth out the surface of the soil so that it is level.

If there are any obstacles in the way, such as rocks or roots, remove them before planting.

5. Sow the seeds thinly, about 1/4 inch deep.

Calendula seeds should be sown in early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked.

They should be planted in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.

The seeds should be planted about 1/4 inch deep and 18 inches apart. Calendulas will self-seed if allowed to, so deadheading is not necessary.

6. Firm the soil gently with your hand and water well.

A freshly planted Calendula seed needs very little water because it is still in the process of germinating.

The seed will absorb water from the soil as it grows, so it is important to keep the soil moist but not wet.

Too much water can drown the seed and prevent it from germinating.

7. Keep the soil moist but not wet until the seeds germinate, which should happen within 10-14 days.

Calendula seeds need moist soil to germinate and grow. If the soil is too wet, the seeds will rot.

8. Once the seedlings emerge, thin them out so that they have enough space to grow.

Calendula seedlings should be thinned out when they are about 4-6 weeks old.

To thin them out, carefully remove the weaker seedlings so that the stronger ones have more space to grow.

Thinning out calendula seedlings is important because it allows the plants to grow healthier and produce more flowers.

9. Water regularly and fertilize monthly.

A freshly planted Calendula needs a lot of water because it is a very thirsty plant.

It will need to be watered every day, and even more so in hot weather.

The reason for this is that the plant uses a lot of water to cool itself down, and if it doesn’t have enough water, it will start to wilt.

10. When the plants are about 6 inches tall, start picking the leaves for use in salads, soups, or other dishes.

The best time to harvest calendula is in the morning after the dew has evaporated, but before the heat of the day sets in.

The flowers should be cut at the base of the stem, just above where the leaves meet.

Calendula can be harvested multiple times throughout the growing season.

11. To encourage more blooms, cut back the plants by about half their size after the first flush of flowers.

Calendula plants can be encouraged to produce more blooms by deadheading spent flowers, providing adequate moisture and nutrients, and avoiding excessive heat. 

12. Deadhead spent flowers to keep the plants tidy and encourage more blooms.

Deadheading involves removing spent flowers from the plant to prevent seed production and encourage further blooming.

Adequate moisture and nutrients are essential for calendula plants to maintain healthy growth and produce abundant blooms.

Excessive heat can stress plants and cause them to produce fewer flowers.

13. Calendula will self-seed readily, so you may not need to sow new seeds every year.

Calendula plants self-seed by producing seed heads that contain both male and female flowers.

The male flowers release pollen that fertilizes the female flowers, which then produce seeds.

The seeds mature and are released from the seed heads, falling to the ground where they germinate and grow into new Calendula plants.

How to grow calendula in a planting pot

1. Buy Calendula seeds, potting mix, and a planting pot.
2. Fill a planting pot with a high-quality potting mix.
3. Sow the Calendula seeds on the surface of the potting mix.
4. Water the potting mix thoroughly.
5. Place the pot in a warm, sunny location.
6. Keep the potting mix moist.
7. When the Calendula seedlings emerge, thin them out so that only the strongest seedlings remain.
8. Fertilize the Calendula seedlings with a high-quality fertilizer.
9. When the Calendula seedlings are large enough, transplant them into individual pots.
10. Water the seedlings regularly and keep the potting mix moist.
11. When the Calendula plants are large enough, transplant them into the garden.

In the following, I will cover each step in a little more detail.

1. Buy Calendula seeds, potting mix, and a planting pot.

When planting Calendula seeds, you will need a pot that is at least 6 inches deep and has drainage holes in the bottom.

It is best to use a potting mix specifically for seedlings, as it will be light and airy and hold moisture well.

If you are using a regular potting mix, make sure to add some perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage.

2. Fill a planting pot with a high-quality potting mix.

The perfect potting mix for Calendula should be well-draining and have a slightly acidic pH.

This will help to prevent root rot and encourage healthy growth. Some examples of good potting mixes for Calendula include:

• 1 part peat moss to 1 part perlite
• 1 part coir fiber to 1 part sand
• 2 parts compost to 1 part sand

3. Sow the Calendula seeds on the surface of the potting mix.

To plant the seeds of Calendula in a pot, place the seeds on the surface of the soil.

Gently press the seeds into the soil. 

4. Water the potting mix thoroughly.

Water the soil until it is evenly moist and place the pot in a warm, sunny location. The seeds will germinate in 7-10 days.

A Calendula needs very little water, especially when first sowing the seeds.

5. Place the pot in a warm, sunny location.

The perfect spot for Calendula indoors in a pot is in a sunny location. Calendula needs full sun to partial shade to grow well.

If you live in an area with hot summers, it’s best to plant calendula in an east- or north-facing window.

6. Keep the potting mix moist.

The soil for Calendula seeds needs to be moist, but not too wet. The seeds need moisture to germinate, but too much water can cause them to rot.

7. When the Calendula seedlings emerge, thin them out so that only the strongest seedlings remain.

To thin Calendula seedlings, first, wait until they are about 2-3 inches tall.

Then, using a sharp knife or scissors, cut off the weaker seedlings at the soil line, being careful not to damage the roots of the stronger seedlings.

Finally, transplant the stronger seedlings to their own individual pots or spaces in the garden, and water well.

8. Fertilize the Calendula seedlings with a high-quality fertilizer.

The perfect fertilizer for Calendula that grows indoors would be a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer with a ratio of 10-10-10.

9. When the Calendula seedlings are large enough, transplant them into individual pots.

To transplant calendula seedlings into individual pots, first, fill the pots with a well-draining potting mix.

Next, make a small hole in the center of each pot and gently remove a seedling from its tray or flat. Gently loosen the roots and place the seedling in the hole, then backfill with potting mix.

Firm the mix around the base of the plant. Water the flowers well and place them in a bright spot.

10. Water the seedlings regularly and keep the potting mix moist.

Calendula seedlings need water every day, and they need a lot of water.

The soil should be moist but not wet, and the seedlings should be watered in the morning so that they have all day to dry out.

11. When the Calendula plants are large enough, transplant them into the garden.

Calendula plants need to be transplanted in the garden because they will not survive in planting pots.

They need to be transplanted in order to get the necessary nutrients and water that they need to grow.

How to use calendula

Calendula in food:

• Calendula can be used as a culinary herb and is often used to add flavor to soups and stews.
• It can also be used to make tea, which is said to have a bitter taste.
• Some people also use calendula to color cheese or butter.

Calendula in a medical context:

• Calendula has been used medicinally for centuries and is said to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and healing properties.
• It is often used topically to treat wounds, burns, and rashes.
• Calendula tea is sometimes consumed to help with digestive issues, such as indigestion or diarrhea.

Calendula in esoteric context:

• Some believe that calendula has mystical or magical properties.
• It is sometimes used in spells or rituals related to love, protection, and fertility.
• Some also believe that calendula can be used to communicate with the dead.

Facts about calendula

• Calendula is a plant in the daisy family
• It is native to southern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia
• The name “calendula” comes from the Latin word for “little clock” or “little calendar” because it blooms around the calendar year
• The petals of calendula flowers are edible and can be used in salads or as a garnish
• Calendula has been used medicinally for centuries to treat wounds, skin irritations, and stomach upset
• The flower heads can be dried and made into a tea that is said to have calming properties
• Calendula oil is sometimes used as a natural remedy for diaper rash in babies
• Some people believe that calendula has anti-cancer properties