🌿 Calendula

Calendula officinalis

herbs Annual flower/herb (self-seeds) Asteraceae

☀️ Sun

Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade in hot climates.

💧 Water

Moderate; somewhat drought-tolerant. Consistent moisture produces best blooms.

🗺️ Zones

Annual everywhere; self-seeds readily in most zones

🧪 Soil pH

5.5-7.0 (tolerates wide range; prefers well-drained)

🪴 Soil Type

Well-draining, moderately rich; pH 6.0-7.0. Tolerates poor soil.

📏 Spacing

12-18 inches apart

📐 Height

12-24 inches

⏱️ Maturity

45-60 days from seed to flower

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ Petals ('poor man's saffron' , used for color, not flavor) 🍽️ Young leaves (bitter) 🍽️ Flower heads

Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone

🤝 Companions (7)

🤝 Almost all vegetables

Calendula is one of the best companion plants overall , attracts pollinators, repels pests, acts as a trap crop for aphids.

🤝 Asparagus

Repels asparagus beetles; attractive border plant.

🤝 Beans

Repels bean beetles and aphids.

🤝 Carrots

Helps repel carrot rust fly.

🤝 Cucumbers

Repels cucumber beetles.

🤝 Potatoes

Repels Colorado potato beetles.

🤝 Tomatoes

Repels tomato hornworms and whiteflies; attracts beneficial insects. Classic companion.

⚠️ Keep Apart (0)

No known enemies listed.

💊 Medicinal Uses

Conditions Treated

💊 Skin wounds, cuts, and abrasions (one of the best wound-healing herbs , stimulates tissue regeneration) 💊 Burns and sunburn (soothing, cooling, promotes healing) 💊 Eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin (anti-inflammatory, moisturizing) 💊 Diaper rash (gentle and effective , standard ingredient in natural baby products) 💊 Varicose veins and hemorrhoids (topical anti-inflammatory) 💊 Minor fungal infections (antifungal , ringworm, athlete's foot) 💊 Mouth ulcers and sore gums (calendula mouthwash) 💊 Conjunctivitis (calendula eyewash , must be well-strained) 💊 Lymphatic congestion (internal use , stimulates lymphatic drainage) 💊 Digestive inflammation (gastritis, ulcers , internal demulcent, anti-inflammatory) 💊 Menstrual cramps and irregular cycles (emmenagogue)

Preparation Methods

Calendula salve: Dried flowers infused in oil (olive or coconut), strained, mixed with beeswax , THE standard wound-healing salve for every home apothecary
Calendula oil: Fresh or dried flowers in carrier oil; 2-4 weeks solar or gentle heat infusion; use directly on skin or in salves
Tea/infusion: 1-2 tsp dried petals steeped 10-15 min; drink for lymphatic support and digestive inflammation; also used as mouthwash or skin wash
Eyewash: TEASPOON of well-strained, cooled calendula tea; use sterile technique for conjunctivitis
Tincture: 1:5 in 60% alcohol; 2-4ml 3x daily for lymphatic support and internal inflammation
Compress: Cloth soaked in strong calendula infusion for wounds, varicose veins, hemorrhoids
Bath: Strong calendula infusion added to bathwater for widespread skin conditions and children's eczema
Cream: Water-based calendula cream for conditions needing moisture (vs. salve for protection)

Active Compounds

⚗️ Triterpenoid saponins ⚗️ Flavonoids (quercetin, isorhamnetin) ⚗️ Carotenoids (calendulin) ⚗️ Polysaccharides ⚗️ Essential oil

⚠️ Safety

Very safe herb , one of the safest topical remedies. Avoid internal use during pregnancy (emmenagogue , may stimulate uterine contractions). Rare allergic reactions in Asteraceae-sensitive individuals (ragweed, daisies). Do not use on deep or infected wounds without medical supervision (may heal surface too quickly, trapping infection).

📜 History & Folklore

🏛️ Ancient

Ancient Egyptians used calendula for skin rejuvenation. Greeks used it for wounds. Romans named it 'calendula' because it blooms every month ('calends').

🏰 Medieval

Called 'Mary's Gold' , associated with the Virgin Mary. Used during plague times. Strewing herb and pot marigold in cooking. Used for 'measles and smallpox' externally. Macer (medieval herbal) recommended it for wounds and 'drawing out poison.'

🌿 Folk Medicine

One of the most universally used wound herbs. American Civil War surgeons used calendula for battlefield wounds. Used in European folk medicine as a 'cancer herb' (external tumors). German Commission E approved calendula for wound healing and oral inflammation. Appears in virtually every traditional European herbal.

🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Johnny's Selected Seeds Botanical Interests True Leaf Market Burpee Territorial Seed Company

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