How to Grow Calendula
Calendula officinalis
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks earlier for a head start.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Rarely needed. Thrives in poor to moderate soil.
- Also called pot marigold. Edible flowers and medicinal uses. One of the easiest annuals to grow.
Companion Planting
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Growing Conditions
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- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 25 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Sow depth | 1 cm |
| Mature height | 50 cm |
| Mature spread | 35 cm |
Also known as Pot Marigold. Readily self-seeds but is not invasive. Thin seedlings to this spacing.
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Rarely needed. Thrives in poor to moderate soil.
- Watch for
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- Powdery mildew
- Aphids
- Slugs on seedlings
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small green or black insects on stems and around flower buds, sticky honeydew, distorted growth
- Strong jet of water to dislodge
- Insecticidal soap spray
- Encourage ladybirds and hoverflies — calendula naturally attracts beneficial insects
- Fatty acid sprays
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Seedlings eaten at ground level, irregular holes in young leaves, slime trails
- Beer traps
- Copper tape around pots
- Evening hand-picking
- Ferric phosphate slug pellets
Disease Powdery Mildew Golovinomyces cichoracearum
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves and stems, leaves yellow and die prematurely
Treatment: Remove badly affected leaves, improve air circulation
Prevention: Avoid overcrowding, water at soil level, pull out and replace severely affected plants
Disease Cucumber Mosaic Virus
Symptoms: Mottled yellow and green leaves, stunted growth, distorted flowers
Treatment: No cure — remove and destroy affected plants promptly to prevent spread
Prevention: Control aphids which spread the virus, remove infected plants immediately
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Germination temperature | 15–20°C |
| Base growth temperature | 4°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 8.5h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Calendula?
- Plant Calendula 25cm apart with 30cm between rows.
- When does Calendula flower?
- Calendula typically flowers approximately 50 days after transplanting.
- Is Calendula frost hardy?
- Calendula is classified as Hardy.
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