Cut flowers3 varieties
Calendula
Calendula officinalisCool-season annual with edible daisy-like flowers that tolerates light frost and reblooms after cutting. Direct sowing can begin as soon as soil is workable.
Days to maturity
50–55 daysDays to germ.
5–14 daysSpacing
6–18 inHeight
18–26 inSun
Full Sun to Partial ShadeVase life
6–8 daysHow we grow it
Germination
- Days to germ.
- 5–14 d
- Soil temp
- 50–85 °F
- Depth
- 0.25 in
- Light for germ
- dark
- Viability
- 1 yrs
Culture
- Days to maturity
- 50–55 d
- Spacing
- 6–18 in
- Height
- 18–26 in
- Sun
- Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Frost
- Hardy to ~25°F · to 25°F · hardy
- Sow indoors
- No
- Outdoor / direct
- Yes
Harvest
- Cut stage
- Pick when half to fully open; snip stems in the morning.
- Vase life
- 6–8 d
- Notes
- Petals are edible. Yield: Estimated ~40 blossoms/plant
Recent field notes
I tore out all the plants today because they had all gone to seed and weren't producing many new blossoms anymore.
I tore out all the plants today because they had all gone to seed and weren't producing many new blossoms anymore.
I tore out all the plants today because they had all gone to seed and weren't producing many new blossoms anymore.
First blossom opened.
I noticed blossoms forming on this plant about a week ago, but didn’t take a photo until today.
First seedlings germinated.
Timing · Zone 5a
Windows are anchored to an average last frost of May 21 (1 year in 10 as early as Apr 29, as late as Jun 2) and an average first frost of Sep 18 (1 year in 10 as early as Sep 6, as late as Oct 8). In a late or early year, slide them with it.
Compare in the calendarTrials
Every Calendula sowingSeed sources, counts, ratings, and the observations kept against each one.Calendula trials- Suits
- PinchAt 12–16 in, above 3rd node
- SuccessionShort maturation time.
- Cut-and-Come-AgainContinuous blooming for months.
