Calendula is one of our fave herbs here at GFF. We have grown this giving plant since 2018. Calendula officinalis is an annual or short-lived perennial in the daisy family also known as pot marigold. It grows in abundance with ease and enjoys cool or temperate climates. We love to hear that, as we are way up in Northern Wisconsin and appreciate cold-hardy plants!

Whether you’re a gardener, herbalist, natural skincare enthusiast, or all of the above (hi, it's me!), calendula deserves a spot in your backyard or balcony.

We seed our calendula directly into the ground in early spring (which in northern Wisconsin is in May!), and watch its greens emerge first, then continue to grow until its first buds appear. Then, we begin harvesting its flowers at peak potency around June and can continue into September and even October. We typically succession plant, meaning we will start one planting of calendula, then another about 2-3 weeks later, and sometimes a third succession. We enjoy its blossoms throughout the summer, watching them bloom in beautiful shades of yellows and oranges, opening and closing with the sun. 

After harvesting, we dry in a simple open-air, ventilated space with the flowers spread out on mesh screens. Once the calendula flowers are completely dry, we store until use, typically only a matter of days or weeks later when we infuse them directly into our organic plant-based oils, imparting its magical herbal benefits for many of our products.  Read more about this bloom's skincare benefits in our post Top 5 Benefits of Calendula for the Skin.

Here's our quick & easy guide to growing Calendula:

1. Choose the Right Location

Calendula loves the sun. Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade. It’s well-suited for garden beds, containers, or even window boxes.

2. Soil and Drainage

Calendula thrives in well-drained soil, preferably moderately rich but not overly fertilized. Too much nitrogen can lead to more foliage and fewer blooms.

3. When and How to Plant

• Outdoors: Sow seeds directly into the soil in early spring after the last frost.

• Indoors: Start seeds 6–8 weeks before the last expected frost, then transplant outdoors.

We like both methods. Starting indoors can give you a head-start and also allow for a much more uniform, reliable planting as you transplant only the healthiest plants and can do so in a quite uniform fashion. Seeding directly into the ground can save time and labor and also doesn't require indoor space and resources like starting seeds first does.

4. Care and Maintenance

• Watering: Keep soil moist but not soggy.

• Deadheading: Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Yay! This means it is a good thing to harvest your calendula flowers.

• Pest Control: Calendula is fairly pest-resistant but can attract aphids. Use a natural spray or companion plant to keep them away.

5. Harvesting Flowers

• Pick blooms in the morning once the dew has dried.

• Dry the petals in a cool, well-ventilated space for later use in teas, oils, and salves.