Calendula, English Marigold, Pot Marigold, Ruddles, Scotch Marigold 'Mixed Hybrids, Noids'

Calendulaofficinalis

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Calendula (ka-LEN-dew-luh)
Species
officinalis (oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss)
Synonym
Calendula prolifera
Calendula ranunculodes
Caltha officinalis
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
This plant is resistant to deer
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
Hardiness
Not Applicable
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Orange
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Auburn, Alabama

COARSEGOLD, California

El Sobrante, California

Merced, California

Palo Alto, California

Sacramento, California

San Anselmo, California

San Jose, California

San Leandro, California

Santa Barbara, California

Seaside, California

Sonoma, California

Yosemite Lakes, California

Clifton, Colorado

Shelton, Connecticut

Bartow, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

New Plymouth, Idaho

Aurora, Illinois

Elmhurst, Illinois

Itasca, Illinois

Saint Charles, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Columbus, Indiana

Kirklin, Indiana

Salina, Kansas

Barbourville, Kentucky

Belle Chasse, Louisiana

Metairie, Louisiana

Skowhegan, Maine

Gobles, Michigan

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Florence, Mississippi

Mathiston, Mississippi

Greenville, New Hampshire

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Deposit, New York

Selden, New York

West Kill, New York

Durham, North Carolina

Hillsboro, Ohio

Hulbert, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Beaverton, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Mc Keesport, Pennsylvania

Columbia, South Carolina

Prosperity, South Carolina

Winnsboro, South Carolina

Austin, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Dammeron Valley, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Gate City, Virginia

Coupeville, Washington

Kalama, Washington

North Sultan, Washington

Sammamish, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Stanwood, Washington

Sultan, Washington

Waukesha, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

18
positives
7
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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D
D
white oak, PA (Zone 6b) | April 2016 | positive

Have grown these for years. Actually an herb, they are used in cosmetics. The petals are great sprinkled through salad. I live in zone...Read More

D
Mason, NH (Zone 5b) | September 2012 | positive

Such an easy to grow and carefree plant with flowers as cheery as these should not be overlooked when selecting your annuals.

B
Prosperity, SC (Zone 7b) | September 2011 | positive

Had a great experience with this plant in early 2011 (jan-Mar) I harvested petals and ate them in salads and over fish dishes, and harves...Read More

C
Elmhurst, IL | August 2011 | positive

I grew these from seed, just to try something new. They're very undemanding. They reseed and some seed overwinters. Nice size flowers on ...Read More

S
Sonoma, CA (Zone 9b) | June 2009 | positive

I started with one basic orange calendula a few years ago. Now I have tons of calendula plants just from reseeding, and they're not all t...Read More

D
Waukesha, WI | June 2009 | positive

This plant grows great in full sun in my zone 5 wisconsin yard. Easy to grow from seed and plant out in spring. I recieved some seed fr...Read More

A
Seattle, WA | May 2009 | neutral

easy to grow in sun, bright, long blooming, reseed but not too freely. My only objection is that after blooming the plants get ratty look...Read More

T
Leesburg, FL (Zone 9b) | December 2008 | neutral

For me, these were quite drought resistant, as the only water they got was from rain. Bloomed past our first frost, and went strong in ...Read More

A
San Jose, CA | December 2007 | positive

An intriguing behavior in our San Jose (CA) clay soil garden is the sprouting of mini-blooms from a spent original bloom. Out of the cen...Read More

M
Deer Park, TX (Zone 9a) | October 2007 | neutral

I have to give them lots of water in this heat.

W
Eastern Long Island, NY (Zone 7a) | September 2007 | positive

Takes awhile to bloom if started from seed, sandy soil is no impediment. Full sun and tolerant of neglect, add the flower petals to rice...Read More

W
W
Hulbert, OK (Zone 7a) | April 2007 | positive

Several years ago I tossed a good quantity of
Calendula seeds into a drawer and literally forgot
about them.

...Read More

T
Palo Alto, CA | February 2006 | positive

Seems to thrive on neglect and reseeds rapidly. Supposedly an annual, I've had plants live 2-3 years in northern California. I give the...Read More

S
S
(Zone 7b) | January 2006 | neutral

More of a spring bloomer in my area -- doesn't hold up well to the heat.

G
(Zone 5a) | January 2006 | positive

I love this because it blooms continuously even past the first frost. I don't like fussy annuals, so this one is perfect for me! When t...Read More

P
Deal, NJ (Zone 7a) | July 2005 | positive

Calendula is easy to grow .... once plants sprout but it should be noted that calendula seeds to not have a terribly long shelf life so ...Read More

C
West Kill, NY | May 2005 | positive

Calendula is one of my favorite annuals. I don't have problems with invasive reseeding here in the Catskills. My calendulas are usually t...Read More

L
Merced, CA (Zone 9a) | May 2005 | positive

Oh boy, watch where you put this or faithfully dead head the flowers. The seeds do not have to be dried in order to pop and procreate. I...Read More

G
Sunset Valley, TX (Zone 9a) | January 2005 | positive

This plant grows great in sandy soil and can deal with either sun or shade. Very easy to grow and quite pretty. Flowers do well if cut a...Read More

L
Ogden, UT (Zone 5b) | January 2005 | positive

Highly recommended for beginners -- I really can't think of an easier plant to grow from seed. Calendulas are a great addition to the he...Read More

Z
Z
| April 2004 | positive

Will sow itself out for the next season. But in protected places, like near to the house walls or in a sunny, but wind-protected corner, ...Read More

N
El Sobrante, CA (Zone 9b) | November 2003 | neutral

Calendula's bright color is a welcome visitor in my garden. They are easy to collect seeds from, easy to start from seed, completely edib...Read More

C
| May 2003 | positive

Allegedly deters pests, so plant liberally in vegetable garden or with other annuals in beds and containers to repel insects. Also has me...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2002 | neutral

Needs well-drained soil and prefers moderate watering. If you are in a mild winter zone 9-10, you can set them out in September and they...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | March 2001 | neutral

This colorful yellow and orange flowered annual will reseed itself if not deadheaded. Flowers bloom all summer into fall. Direct seed 1/2...Read More

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