Grow Your Own Calendula for Homemade Winter Skincare
Skin care starts in the spring. That’s the idea behind herbal wellness gardening, and it’s one of my favorite ways to slow down and take care of myself. As soon as the wood stove is going, my home gets super dry. I turn to home made creams and salves to soothe dry, itchy skin.
When the air turns dry and cold in the fall, most of us reach for a lotion off the shelf, which often contain tons of chemicals, fragrances, and preservatives. But what if the thing that soothes your skin in January started as a tiny seed on your windowsill in April?
Calendula is the best place to start. It’s a generous, cheerful, golden flower that rewards beginners. This guide covers how to grow calendula from seed, how to harvest and dry the blooms, and how to turn them into a homemade calendula balm for dry winter skin.
Start planning your garden now, saving the seeds or ordering them to plant next spring! If you would like any of my calendula seeds I gathered find them here.
Why Calendula Is the Heart of Herbal Skincare
Calendula (Calendula officinalis), also called pot marigold, has a long history in herbal traditions as a gentle skin-friendly flower. Herbalists often use it in:
Calendula-infused oil
Herbal salves and balms
Homemade lip balm
Soothing hand creams
Antimicrobial poultices
It’s also one of the easiest medicinal herbs to grow. It’s an annual that blooms generously, and the more you pick, the more it flowers. That makes it ideal for a first herb garden.
The Seasonal Rhythm: Spring Seedlings, Fall Skincare
Here’s the timeline I follow.
Early spring: Start seeds indoors.
Late spring: Transplant seedlings outside.
Summer: Harvest blooms as they open.
Late summer to early fall: Dry the flowers and make your infused oil. Save seeds.
Fall and winter: Make your balm and use it when the air gets dry.
Each stage is a small act of self-care that pays off months later.
How to Grow Calendula
From Seed
1. Start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost. Fill seed trays with a light, well-draining mix. Press the seeds about ¼ inch deep and cover them lightly, since calendula seeds germinate best in the dark.
2. Keep them gently warm and moist. Seeds usually sprout in 5 to 14 days at around 65–70°F. Once they emerge, move them to a bright window or under a grow light.
3. Harden off before transplanting. After the danger of hard frost has passed, set seedlings outside for a little longer each day over a week or so.
4. Plant in full sun. Calendula tolerates part shade but flowers best in full sun. Space plants 8 to 12 inches apart in average, well-drained soil. They don’t need rich soil, and too much fertilizer means leaves instead of flowers.
5. Water consistently, and pick often. Regular harvesting signals the plant to keep blooming. Deadhead spent flowers to extend the season.
You can also sow seeds directly in the garden once the soil has warmed. Starting indoors just gives you an earlier, longer harvest. My preferred varieties of calendula, as there are many, are orange king and resina.
Harvesting and Drying Calendula Flowers
The best blooms for skincare are fully open and a little sticky with resin.
Pick flowers in the late morning, after the dew has dried.
Snip only the whole flower head, not the leaves.
Spread the blooms in a single layer on a screen or paper-lined tray, in a warm, dry, shaded spot with good airflow. I use an Excalibur dehydrator with trays which are often avaialable used.
Dry until the petals are crisp and the centers feel completely dry, usually several days to a week.
Dry them completely. Any leftover moisture can cause mold in your infused oil. Store dried flowers in a glass jar, away from light. Here in New England the air is too humid to air dry completely so it is wise to use a dehydrator or even a hot car to be sure the moisture is all gone.
How to Make Calendula-Infused Oil
This is the base for nearly every calendula skincare recipe. I have calendula oil already made if you prefer.
You’ll need:
Dried calendula flowers
A carrier oil such as olive, sweet almond, or jojoba
A clean, dry glass jar
A 1/2 tsp. of alcohol such as vodka
Steps:
Fill the jar about 1/3 full with dried flowers.
Wearing gloves, massage the alcohol into the flowers to break them apart gently.
Cover the jar overnight or 8-12 hours.
Then, open the jar and cover completely with oil so no petals poke above the surface.
Seal and let it infuse in a warm spot for 4 to 6 weeks, shaking gently every few days. For a quicker version, warm it very gently in a double boiler for a few hours.
Strain through cheesecloth, squeeze out the oil, and store it in a dark glass bottle.
Label it with the date. Properly made infused oil keeps well for several months to a year, depending on the carrier oil. My preferred oil is organic jojoba as it lasts a long time, doesn't stain clothing, and is the closest oil to our own skin oils so it absorbs well.
Simple Calendula Balm for Dry Winter Skin
A note on terminology: most “creams” contain water, which requires a few extra steps to emulsify the oil and water. My favorite is the Rose Day Cream. For beginners, a balm or salve is easier and works beautifully for dry winter skin, since it seals in moisture.
Ingredients:
8 oz (by weight) calendula-infused oil
1 oz beeswax (use a bit more for a firmer balm)
Optional: 1–2 oz shea or cocoa butter for richness
Steps:
Gently melt the beeswax and any butters with the oil in a double boiler.
Stir until fully combined.
Pour into tins or small jars and let cool completely before capping.
Optional: add essential oil of choice such as lavender, rose, mint, etc.
Use it on hands, elbows, cuticles, and any dry patches. Apply to slightly damp skin for the best moisture lock.
Check out my full line of balms and creams with calendula as the base here.
A Few Safety Notes
Do a patch test first. Calendula belongs to the daisy (Asteraceae) family, so people with ragweed or daisy allergies may react.
Herbal products are for everyday comfort and are not a substitute for medical care. If you have persistent dry, cracked, or irritated skin, talk with a healthcare provider.
Pregnant, nursing, or on medication? Check with your provider before using new herbal products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow calendula in a pot? Yes. Use a container at least 8 to 10 inches wide with drainage holes, and place it in a sunny spot.
Is calendula hard to grow? It’s one of the easiest herbs for beginners. It tolerates cool weather, grows quickly, and blooms for months.
How many plants do I need? A handful of healthy plants can produce enough blooms for several jars of infused oil. Six to ten plants is a good start for a household.
Can I use fresh calendula for oil? Dried is safer. Fresh flowers hold water, which can cause spoilage in oil.
Start Small, Start Now
Herbal wellness is about rhythm. You plant in the spring, tend through the summer, and by the time the first dry, cold air arrives, you have something you grew and made with your own hands.
If you’re reading this in the colder months, now is the perfect time to order seeds, plan your garden, and picture next spring’s first seedlings.
What questions do you have for me? Have you grown calendula or made oil before?
Tell me in the comments, and sign up for my newsletter for more seasonal herbal wellness tips.
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