Herbs
Calendula officinalis
Calendula
Also known as: Pot marigold
A bushy annual with cheerful yellow or orange daisies and edible petals. Deadhead for continued bloom; watch for mildew and slugs.
At a glance
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Mature size
- 1–2 ft. tall × 1–2 ft. wide
- Water
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Life cycle
- Annual
- Bloom
- Yellow or orange; visited by pollinators.
Sizes & prices
- 3.5"$4.99
Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.
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Resistance & tolerances
- Drought
- Dislikes dry conditions.
- Wet soil
- Keep moist, but provide drainage.
- Deer & rabbits
- Listed as resistant, not browse-proof.
Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.
Pollinators & wildlife
- Attracts
- Pollinators
Culinary uses
- Edible part
- Petals; tangy to peppery, sometimes bitter.
- Try in
- Salads, rice and soups. Not the same plant as Tagetes marigolds.
Seasonal interest
- Form
- Bushy, cool-season annual.
Growing & care
- Pruning
- Pinch for bushier growth and deadhead regularly; cut back tired plants for fall regrowth.
- Harvest
- Pick fresh flowers before the petals fade; remove spent blooms to prolong flowering.
Pinch for branching and remove spent flowers. Plants can struggle in summer heat.
Sources & photo credits
University of Minnesota Extension
Photo: Dinesh Valke · CC BY-SA 2.0
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Image notes: species photo; resized and recompressed, not cropped.
Reviewed September 21, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.