{"id":4982,"date":"2025-09-26T09:25:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T13:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/homegardenjoy.com\/site\/?p=4982"},"modified":"2025-09-26T09:25:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T13:25:14","slug":"herbal-profile-growing-calendula","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homegardenjoy.com\/site\/2025\/09\/herbal-profile-growing-calendula.html","title":{"rendered":"Herbal Profile: Growing Calendula"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Growing calendula is easy! The seeds germinate quickly, and calendula can be grown in pots, containers, or garden beds. Best of all, many parts of this beautiful flower are useful. The petals are edible, and the flowers are used to create many herbal skincare products. Learn more about calendula flowers and how you can grow them in your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plant Profile: Calendula<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Common name<\/strong>: Calendula, Pot Marigold
Botanical name<\/strong>: Calendula officinalis<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Light Requirements<\/strong>: Calendula thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer climates where intense sunlight might cause stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soil Requirements<\/strong>: It prefers well-drained soil that is moderately fertile to rich, with a neutral pH around 6.0 to 7.0. While it can grow in poorer soils, richer conditions will encourage more vigorous growth and flowering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water Requirements:<\/strong> Watering should be consistent, especially during dry periods. Keep the soil evenly moist while the plant is establishing, but avoid overwatering as calendula does not do well with soggy roots. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fertilizer:<\/strong> Fertilizer needs are minimal. Mixing compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting time is usually sufficient. If desired, a light feeding during the growing season can support continued blooming, but excessive fertilization may actually reduce flower production. (I don’t fertilize my plants at all, and I have successfully grown them in almost any soil, including clay soil.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calendula is a versatile plant that offers ornamental beauty, attracts pollinators, and has culinary and medicinal uses. It\u2019s a great addition to borders, containers, and vegetable gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A note about the common name of the plant: Calendula also goes by the common name “pot marigold.” Please do not confuse calendula with marigolds! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The common garden marigolds<\/strong>, such as African and French marigolds, belong to the genus Tagetes<\/strong><\/em>. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n