Golden and almost glowing with vibrance, calendula flowers are sunshine in plant form. Known in Latin as calendula officinalis and known casually as pot marigold (not to be confused with common marigold), calendula is multifaceted in its functions and uncomplicated to cultivate. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where it originates from, but calendula can be found in Europe, Western Asia, and the United States. Calendula is in the Asteraceae family which includes daisies, sunflowers, dandelions, and more. It is one of the first herbaceous flowers I grew from seed as it is notoriously easy-going in the garden. Beneficial pollinators are drawn to calendula, which is always advantageous for the rest of your garden. This charming flower also acts as a valuable companion plant to many other crops, making it an asset to the garden.
How to Identify Calendula
Unless you live in the Mediterranean, calendula isn’t a plant you’ll likely come across in the wild or along a roadside. However, it is a commonly cultivated annual in gardens across the world. The plant’s physical features are distinct which makes it easy to identify if you were to encounter it in the wild. In case you do, here’s what to look out for.
Calendula grows perennially in the Mediterranean, but is an annual everywhere else. It tends to be somewhat bushy and can grow up to 18-24 inches tall. The petals are long and thin, forming disc florets around the center and ray florets around those. The most common variety, calendula resina, is typically bright yellow or orange and you can even find both colors blooming on the same plant. There are plenty of other varieties that come in shades of yellow, orange, pink, red, white and even variegated mixtures of these colors. Medicinally, I highly recommend using calendula resina, as it holds the most potent amount of resin (the good stuff that’s in the base of the flower head).
Its stems support spatulate (think spoon-shaped) or oblanceolate (much longer than wide), non-toothed, wavy-edged leaves. The leaves are alternate on the stem and do not have leaf stalks (meaning that the base of the leaf comes right up to the stem). The stems and leaves are covered in very fine hairs and have a fragrant scent if you rub them between your fingers. Once the flowers are pollinated, they begin to develop a series of curled-up rings of brown to light gray seeds which look absolutely prehistoric.
Growing Calendula at Home
Incorporating calendula into your garden is remarkably simple and quite rewarding. You can start the seeds indoors in February or March, or sow the seeds outdoors as soon as the last chance of frost has passed in your area (find your last frost date by zip code here). Calendula is often used as a border plant due to claims that it deters wildlife such as deer and rabbits from your garden. It can also be grown in containers as long as the pot has adequate drainage. Calendula prefers well drained soil and full sun regardless of if it’s in the ground or in a container, but if you live in a climate where the sun gets quite hot later in the day, it will appreciate some afternoon shade.
If you provide a nice habitat for calendula and make sure to harvest the flowers before they form seeds, it will bloom continuously and prolifically from spring until fall. Last year, my calendula bloomed steadily from March to October! When harvesting the flowers, just pinch them off with your fingers below the base of the flower, rinse them, and set them out to dry.
Herbal Actions & Medicinal Uses for Calendula
*It’s important to know that calendula is in the same family as the common irritant ragweed, so if you are allergic to ragweed, you should be cautious about using calendula.
Not only is calendula a radiant beauty that produces hundreds of flowers in a season, but those flowers are also alive with medicinal properties. Calendula contains high amounts of flavonoids, which are metabolites found in plants that have certain qualities, such as being anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant, to name a few. Flavonoids are known to protect cells from being damaged by free radicals, or unstable molecules which, in high numbers, can cause disease. Calendula has a range of other healing qualities, including aiding the lymphatic system as well as helping with intestinal issues and rheumatic pain. It promotes faster healing of wounds and is an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal.
Calendula has been used in traditional medicine since at least the 12th century. It has been used to treat stomach upset, ulcers, menstrual cramps, minor infections, and heal wounds. Today, people primarily use it topically to soothe dry skin, increase skin firmness, and treat sunburns. It is also used topically to treat minor burns, bruises, and cuts in order to prevent infection. It can be added to a tea to help calm heartburn and other gastrointestinal issues. Calendula is sometimes used as an ingredient in children’s’ ear drops, diaper rash creams, and hemorrhoid creams. The whole flower can be added to soups and stews to boost immunity during winter, or used in infused oils, salves, poultices, and sitz baths. It can also be used to dye fabric.
The only known contraindications are that you should not use calendula medicinally if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. For the same reason it helps soothe menstrual cramps, calendula could potentially interfere with conception. Other than in these situations, calendula is regarded as safe to consume and use topically.
Folklore & Stories
As a result of its sunny disposition, calendula has a connection to the sun in many cultures’ mythologies. In Greek mythology, four wood nymphs who were mentees of sorts to Artemis, became so enthralled by the sun god, Apollo, that they forgot their alliance with Artemis. The goddess Artemis retaliated by turning the wood nymphs into dull, white marigold flowers. Fortunately for them, Apollo took pity on them and painted their petals yellow-orange with the sun’s rays.
Calendula’s nickname, Pot Marigold, is said to derive from its use in enhancing the flavor of soups and stews in Medieval Europe. Another European legend says that if a maiden steps on the flower, she will understand the language of birds… if only it were so easy. Yet another European myth tells us that if you add calendula to a wreath and hang it on your door, it will prevent evil from entering your home.
Recipe for Calendula Salve
If you are looking for something to soothe and heal your dry skin, especially in the winter months, a salve made with calendula is just the thing you need. Fortunately, it’s very easy to make and doesn’t require a ton of special equipment or materials. The hardest part is waiting four to six weeks for the oil to infuse. Calendula holds wound healing and skin softening properties, making it the perfect ingredient for a salve. You can add other skin soothing herbs such as rose petals, comfrey leaves, St. John’s wort herb, or lavender at your whim. You will just add these dried herbs to your infused oil. This recipe makes about 10 oz of the final product. Those commonly used little metal tins usually hold 2 to 4 ounces, for reference. You can safely store this salve for about three years.
What you’ll need:
Dried organic calendula flowers (including the base, not just the petals)
Carrier oil, such as olive or avocado (preferably organic)
1 oz. Beeswax, preferably granulated or coarsely chopped
Double boiler
Small, flat tins or small glass jars to hold the salve
Step 1: Make the calendula infused oil
Add dried calendula flowers to a clean glass jar, fill about ⅔ of the jar.
Pour the carrier oil over the flowers, filling the jar and ensuring that you leave at least 1” of room at the top (the flowers will expand as they infuse into the oil).
Leave the jar to sit 4-6 weeks (it’s fine if the jar is exposed to sunlight)
Shake the jar daily (or at least every couple of days).
Step 2: Making the salve
In a double boiler, add beeswax and 4 oz of the calendula infused oil and heat until ingredients are smooth.
Remove from heat
Pour the liquid into containers.
Let the salve cool completely before you put the lids on and add labels.
Calendula is a versatile herb that looks gorgeous and will bloom the entirety of the growing season if cared for properly. Whether you’re growing calendula in your garden or using past harvests or to craft something, I hope you discover its remarkable beauty and practical uses. Personally, it is a staple in my garden. I’ll start calendula seeds very soon and will of course share that with you.
Thank you for being here.
Cheers and happy growing,
Allyson