How to grow Calendula

Calendula officinalis

Full Sun
OR
Partial Sun
Medium

For continuous display, make sowings at two or three weekly intervals. Water well until plants are established. Late summer and autumn sowings (in areas with little frost, Zones 8-11)⁴ will flower the following season. Plants tend to wither in sub-tropical summers⁴.

Remove dead flowers to prolong flowering season.

Requires well-drained soil. Fertilisers rich in phosphorus will promote flowering.

Growing Calendula from seed

Can be sown early under glass or sown in Autumn. Sow into finely prepared soil which has already been watered.

Calendula reseeds itself readily. Keep seeds covered lightly with soil, as light inhibits germination.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 7.8 inches (20.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.2 inches (0.5 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 10°C / 50°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Calendula about 35 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Calendula

Calendula do not transplant easily so it is better to thin seedlings in the place you have chosen for them to flower.

As Calendula is half hardy, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

Seed Saving Calendula

Seeds in marigolds vary greatly in shape, from long and thin to short and fat – all of them are viable.

Seed viability is five years.

How long does Calendula take to grow?

These estimates for how long Calendula takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Calendula to germinate?: 8 days
Average 8 days | Min 1 days | Max 21 days (188)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Calendula?: + 45 days
Average 45 days | Min 9 days | Max 89 days (33)
Days to Maturity How long until Calendula is ready for harvest / bloom?: + 72 days
Average 72 days | Min 35 days | Max 112 days (22)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Calendula?: = 125 days