Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Edible orange petals and a long bloom for hoverflies.
Hardiness: zones 2 to 11
Light: full sun to part shade
Size: about 1.5 ft tall, 1 ft wide
Harvest: June to October
From: Mediterranean
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: food, pollinators, traditional use.
Native to: Mediterranean. Hardy in zones 2 to 11.
The story
Pot marigold was the poor man's saffron in medieval Europe, colouring broths and butter, and a wound herb from Roman times to the First World War, when its salve dressed soldiers' cuts. It flowers through frost.
Planting
Full sun or light shade, any soil; sow seed directly in early spring or autumn, a quarter inch deep. It self-sows for years.
Growing
Water in dry spells; no feeding. Deadhead for more flowers or let it seed. Pull leggy plants in summer and let autumn seedlings follow.
Harvest and use
Pick petals any time for salads, rice and tea; dry flowers for salve and oil. Cut whole stems to encourage more.
What to watch for
Aphids and powdery mildew in late summer.
Safety
Medicinal uses here are shared as history, not advice. Kitchen amounts are fine for most people, but teas, tinctures and supplements can interact with medicines and aren't safe for everyone, especially in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, for children, or with liver or kidney problems. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any plant as medicine.
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More annual vegetables, herbs and grains
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home