Calendula

Plant Description & Taxonomy

• Calendula (commonly called pot marigold) is a herbaceous annual or short-lived perennial (in warmer climates) in the the Asteraceae (daisy) family. 

• Stems are upright to lax, branching, and the leaves are oblong-lanceolate with a hairy (pubescent) surface, often with entire or slightly toothed margins. 

• Flower heads (capitula) are daisy-like, typically 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) in diameter (some sources say 3–4 in) with ray florets (petals) around a central disc. 

• Flower colors include bright yellow, orange, cream, white, and bicolors. There are single and double-flowered cultivars. 

• The plant produces seeds (achenes) inside a dry fruiting head after flowering. 

Hardiness / Grow Zones

• Calendula is generally grown as an annual in many regions, but in mild-winter zones it can persist as a short-lived perennial.

• Many sources list its USDA hardiness as zones 2–11 (i.e. extremely wide) when grown as an annual. 

• In zones 9–11, it may overwinter and act more perennial-like, flowering over a longer season. 

• In cold zones, frost or freezing temperatures will typically kill the plants (unless protected). 

Size (Height & Spread)

• Mature height: commonly 10 to 24 inches (25–60 cm), though many sources cite 12–18 in (30–45 cm) under favorable conditions.

• Sometimes smaller cultivars remain closer to 10–12 in. 

• Spread (width): often similar to height, roughly 10–18 inches (25–45 cm), depending on branching habit and cultivar. )

Native / Ancestral Range & Uses

• Calendula is thought to be native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. 

• Over time it has been cultivated and naturalized in many temperate regions. 

• Uses:

  • Ornamental: widely planted in beds, borders, containers, cottage gardens, and in mass displays. 

  • Cut flowers: calendula blooms make good cut or dried flowers. 

  • Edible: petals (and sometimes leaves) are used as garnishes, in salads, or as a saffron substitute for color in food. 

  • Medicinal / cosmetic / dye: calendula has been used in traditional remedies (wound healing, skin salves), in cosmetics, and as a dye. 

  • Beneficial insect attraction / companion planting: calendula draws pollinators, and is used in some gardens to attract beneficial insects or as a “trap crop” for pests (e.g. aphids). 

Light Requirements

• Prefers full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) for best flowering. 

• In very hot climates or during intense summer heat, some afternoon shade or filtered shade can improve vigor and extend bloom. 

• It tolerates part shade, though flowering may be reduced.

Soil & Drainage

• Prefers well-drained soils; poor drainage or overly wet conditions lead to root rot and stresses. 

• Soil texture: tolerates light (sandy), medium (loam), and even clay soils, provided drainage is good.

• Soil fertility: moderate fertility is best. Too rich (excess nitrogen) can lead to more foliage and fewer flowers, or legginess. 

• Soil pH: tolerates a fairly broad pH range (acidic to slightly alkaline), but often cited preference is around 6.0 to 7.0 (neutral to slightly acidic). 

• Good soil preparation (adding organic matter, avoiding compaction) is beneficial. 

Water Requirements

• Calendula needs regular watering while establishing; avoid letting soil dry out completely early. 

• Once established, it tolerates somewhat drier conditions, though in heat it often benefits from supplemental moisture. 

• Avoid overwatering or soggy soil, which can cause root problems. 

• Water at the base (soil level) ideally, keeping foliage drier to reduce disease risk. (Implied by best practices; many garden guides recommend this approach.)

Growth & Blooming Behavior

• Calendula reliably blooms for many months, often from spring through fall, or in milder climates, nearly year-round if conditions allow. 

• Blooming can decline during extreme summer heat, and may resume when temperatures cool. 

• Deadheading spent blooms encourages further flower production. 

• Calendula self-seeds readily in many gardens (but is not usually aggressively invasive). 

• In milder zones, it may persist multiple seasons; in colder zones it usually dies at first hard frost.

Pests & Diseases

• Generally quite low‐maintenance and not heavily troubled by pests, but common issues include aphids, powdery mildew, and occasionally viruses (such as cucumber mosaic virus).

• Overly wet foliage and poor air circulation favor fungal diseases.

---SHIPPING NOTICE PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS!---

 We WILL NOT refund the purchase of or the shipping cost of live plants purchased with the intent to be shipped to states that do not authorize importing live plants or to states with restrictions! Purchases to these states will be held for 30 days for pick-up at our Slidell, Louisiana store and the shipping cost associated with these purchases will be held for the care of the plant while waiting to be picked up. All sales are final. If the plant(s) purchased are not picked up within 30 days from the date of order, these items will be returned to our sales inventory and you WILL NOT be refunded. Thank you for understanding these policies.

Due to regulations, certain states have restrictions on importing plants. Please review the list below to ensure you're not attempting to order any restricted plants in your area.

**Important Note:** We do not ship any plants outside the U.S.

State-Specific Restrictions - We ARE NOT responsible for any plant(s) that are not listed in these restrictions. Purchaser bears all responsibility for making sure the plant(s) they desire to purchase are not banned from being imported to the shipping state:

Arizona: Juglans spp.  

California: Castanea spp., Juglans spp., Pinus spp., Quercus spp.  

Colorado: Some counties restrict Prunus spp. Please verify your local county regulations.  

Florida: Castanea spp., Cornus spp., Quercus spp., Cornus mas 

Georgia: Vaccinium spp.

Hawaii: Pinus spp. 

Idaho: Humulus lupulus, Mentha spp., Vitis spp.

Indiana: Fragraria spp., Rosa spp. 

Kansas: Juglans spp.

Michigan: Abies spp., Vaccinium spp.

Montana: Pinus spp.

Nevada: Allium spp.

, Mentha spp. 

New Jersey: Rosa spp.  

New York: Vitis spp.  

Oregon: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Quercus spp., Sambucus nigra, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.

Texas: Juglans spp. 

Washington: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.  

Wisconsin: Abies spp., Pinus spp., Picea spp., Mentha spp. 

Additionally, we cannot ship plants in soil medium to the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, HI, ID, KS, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA.