How to Grow Calendula: From Seed to Harvest & Use
Decades ago, our great-great grandmothers foraging and made medicine using the plants around them. In present time, we’ve all but forgotten the names and many uses of most of the plants our ancestors relied on. Join me as together relearn the wisdom of the home herbalist in this special series, starting with one of the most proficient herbs: calendula.
Calendula (calendula officinalis) is a flowering plant that is part of the daisy family, Asteracease. There are 15-20 species of herbaceous plants within this family, such as marigolds. Calendula is often called ‘pot marigold’ as in Germany, they use it in hearty pot meals.
Used for centuries (since the 12th century in fact) as a medicinal herb, it got its name from the Romans who noticed it bloomed on the first of each month (calends).
Calenula is often found in diaper creams, teas, and can be used as a colorant in butters, cheese and cloth dying. The perfect healing additives to beauty products, and your supper salad! Stimulating to the immune system, antibacterial and antimicrobial.
From toe fungus to scalp treatments, calendula is useful from head to toe – and its multicolored orange-yellow flowers look great in the garden!
It can be made into teas, salves, lotion, body oils, gel, compress, tinctures, and creams; used in bath steams, stews, salads, baking; toothpaste, mouthwash, soaps and shampoos; and gentle enough for babies, elderly, and seriously ill.
Because of its wide range of uses and application methods, and it’s ease of growing, Calendula is a perfect medicinal herb for beginner home herbalists.
How to Grow Calendula
Growing Calendula is fairly straight forward. It’s a hardy plant that is fairly forgiving. Having optimal conditions is important though, for the maximum beneficial properties. Do your best and learn as you grow!
Zones: 2-10 USDA; a perennial in warm climates and annual in colder climates.
Soil: well drained to prevent root rot and fertile, rich in organic matter (in garden speak: sandy loam). Amend with compost in mid-summer. Ph 6-7.
Water: water once to twice per week, during the hot season.
Sun: full sun in cold climates, partial shade in hot climates
Seeds: Start your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. ¼ – ½ inch depth.
Transplant: after all danger of frost has passed. Harden them off for 1 week prior.
Square foot: plant 1 plant per square foot, or 12″ apart.
Companion plants: cucumber, tomato, peas, carrots, parsley, thyme, asparagus // not: sage, potatoes
Harvesting Your Calendula
Once the first flowers bloom you want to start harvesting. This may seem counterintuitive but it actually causes the plant to produce even more flowers.
You’ll be harvesting every 2-4 days.
Ideal harvesting time is after the morning dew has dried, or after their leaves, stem and petals have dried after a ran. This prevents your harvest from going bad quickly.
They are at their peak medicinal properties in early-mid morning. Don’t wash them after harvest.
How to Harvest Calendula
Hold the stem in one hand and pluck the flower head off in the other. Use two hands or a pair of scissors so you don’t risk breaking off the stem as they are somewhat fragile plants.
Your hands will get a bit sticky with residue.
How to Preserve or Dry Calendula
Calendula is sensitive to temperature so start the drying process as soon after harvest as you can.
Simply lay them on an old window screen (you can also buy it at the hardware store or make a DIY drying rack), and place them in a cool, dark place.
You can use a dehydrator but as they are sensitive to heat, use no more than 95F/35C.
Once they are fully dried, you can make a variety of herbal remedies.
How to Save Calendula Seeds
As the flower petals dry up and fall off, the seeds are produced underneath.
You’ll see them look kind of like claws and actually, I was kinda scared when I first saw them. I didn’t know what they were!
They start off green, dry out to brown and puff up – so the claws actually look freaky. Save the seeds! Not only can you easily prepare for next years harvest, but they also make the perfect little gifts!
If you live in a warmer climate where calendula is a perennial, it will self-seed. Some use container gardening to prevent this but its easy to collect or pull off the seed pods before they fully dry (if you don’t want to save the seeds.).
Medicinal Uses of Calendula
From the 12th century to the 21st century, Calendula has been a staple item for every home herbalists, natural product maker, and home cook.
Its brightly coloured flower petals contain potent flavonoids which have a very powerful healing effect, both internally and externally, on our bodies.
Well known for its antiviral, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory properties, Calendula is a great natural remedy with very few side effects. There’s almost nothing not worth using it for!
- Ulcers
- Skin issues (contact dermatitis, acne, eczema, psoriasis, etc.)
- Muscle spasms
- Wounds
- Hermmeroids
- Menstruation pain and hot flashes
- Gingivitis and oral care
From babies to elderly, when stocking a natural medicine cabinet, this herb is a must!
How to Use Calendula
Not only used for its medicinal purposes, Calendula is a great herb to add to salads, soups and stews, and beverages. It is often used as a substitute for saffron.
It can also be used as a natural dye for fabric, wool, childrens paints or dying eggs. Simply use the flowers and explore!
Calendula lotion/salve: skin issues, wounds
Calendula soap: immune system health, congested lymph nodes, hormone imbalance, skin health
Celendula tea: tea made from calendula can soothe the mucus membranes making it good for congestion, gastric issues, gingivitis, sore throats, immune system health, hormone imbalance, and ulcers.
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 tsp of dried flowers. Steep for 10 minutes.
Calendula oil: muscle spasms, skin issues
Calendula is such a powerful plant to have in your garden! It’s easy to grow, attracts beneficial pollinators, has bright, cheerful flowers, and is an all-round amazing natural healer. Perfect for a beginner herbalist!
If you’ve grown Calendula, what have you used it for?
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