Often called “pot marigold” calendula is a pretty golden flower. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or someone interested in natural remedies, calendula is a pretty herb worth knowing about.
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One of the 5 Essential Plants You’ll Need for a Desert Medicinal Garden, this herb also has beautiful flowers.
When to Plant and How to Grow Calendula
Transplant or grow by seed in gardening zones 3 through 10.
Start from seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your gardening zone. Alternatively, you can sow the seeds directly in your garden after the last frost has passed.
Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Sow the seeds about 1/4 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart.
Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist. To encourage more flowering, deadhead the spent blooms.
When to Plant Calendula in Phoenix
The ideal time to start calendula seeds in Phoenix is mid-September through November. This provides you with the longest bloom time. However, we planted seeds the end of March and by April seeds were sprouting. In May the flowers were blooming. If we had planted sooner we could have enjoyed the flowers throughout the winter and spring season.
How to Care for Calendula
Light Requirements: Prefers 6-8 hours of sun per day.
Soil Requirements: Provide well-drained soil.
Water Requirements: Water regularly. The herb requires a moderate amount of water and appreciates consistent moisture.
Calendula’s Benefits
Calendula officinalis, flowers are yellow to deep orange. In addition to it’s cheery flower, it has been used for centuries for it’s healing properties.
This herb is well-known for its skin-soothing qualities. It’s often used in salves, creams, and ointments to alleviate skin irritations, rashes, and minor burns.
This pretty herb is often used to make teas due to it’s anti-inflammatory properties. To learn more about calendula: Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil.
Please note that while calendula has a long history of traditional use for these purposes, always consult a healthcare professional before using it for medicinal reasons.
When Calendula Blooms
The flower is known for its long blooming season, which is fantastic for gardeners. In most regions, it starts to bloom in late spring and continues all the way through fall.
In Phoenix , calendula blooms from December through May.
This herb can self-seed, meaning that once you’ve established a patch, it might keep coming back year after year.
When & How to Harvest
The herb takes 60 to 90 days from seed to plant maturity. It can self-seed, meaning that once you’ve established a patch, it might keep coming back year after year if you’re in a warmer climate like Arizona.
Harvest the blossoms as soon as they’re in full bloom. Just pluck the petals and leave the rest of the flower intact.