How to Grow Calendula

Calendulas, also known as pot marigolds, are annual flowers that bloom from mid-summer until the first frost. Calendulas bloom orange and yellow flowers with long stems. Calendulas can also be taken indoors as long as they are free of insects. The following steps detail how to properly grow calendula flowers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Plant your seeds in the early spring by covering them lightly with one-quarter inch of garden soil or compost. Pick a spot in your garden where your calendulas can grow every year. Keep a 10- to 15-inch space between your calendula plants to allow for abundant growth. The soil temperature should be at least 60 degrees.

2. Add enough compost and a general-purpose fertilizer once a month to ensure the production of healthy plants and flowers. Calendulas tend to grow well in rich soil but can also tolerate average to slightly poor soils.

3. Water the calendula plants once or twice per week. You should also add mulch for appearance and to keep away the weeds.

4. Harvest your calendula flowers once they open. The plant will reseed itself and grow again if you leave some of them open. Pick your flowers carefully for your indoor arrangements.

Tips & Warnings

• Calendula flower petals add a nice touch to certain foods. Add the petals to your soups, stews and salads—but only if you have grown them without pesticides.
• Use fungicides on your calendula plants if you experience mildew problems. Mildews can appear if the calendulas grow in humid or rainy weather.
• Keep the insects away from the calendulas since they can cause plant disease. Use an insecticidal soap or repellent to alleviate the insect problem. Don't eat petals from plants that have been treated with pesticides.