Sow our calendula seed from our farm for your garden.
Our packets are a blend of orange king and resina varieties. Each packet contains at least 30 seeds.
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.
